Amid rising speculation over whether Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), will enter the Rajya Sabha, the former Delhi Chief Minister has issued a clear and categorical denial. Speaking at a press conference held at the AAP headquarters in New Delhi on June 23, 2025, Kejriwal stated:

"Kejriwal nahin ja raha (Kejriwal is not going to the Rajya Sabha), though you (the media) have sent me there several times already."

This statement comes after Sanjeev Arora, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, was elected as an MLA from Ludhiana West in the July 19 Assembly bypolls, defeating Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a margin of 10,676 votes. With Arora transitioning to a legislative role in Punjab, his Rajya Sabha seat now stands vacant, triggering speculation on who will fill the void.

Kejriwal's Stand: Putting Rumors to Rest

This isn’t the first time rumors have surfaced regarding Kejriwal's entry into Parliament. Similar whispers emerged earlier in February 2025, when AAP nominated Sanjeev Arora for the Ludhiana West bypolls. Speculation soared about Kejriwal being parachuted into the Rajya Sabha through the vacant seat. However, the party had then dismissed those rumors.

Responding again to the latest wave of speculation, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar had earlier clarified:

"Arvind Kejriwal is not going to Rajya Sabha... Media sources earlier said he would become CM of Punjab, now they say he will go to Rajya Sabha. Both are false."

Why the Speculation?

Kejriwal's political future has become a point of frequent debate, especially after AAP's defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP won 48 seats and AAP managed just 22. The loss meant that Kejriwal is currently not a member of any legislative body, fueling further speculation on his next political step.

With AAP retaining power only in Punjab, questions were raised about whether Kejriwal would assume a formal role in Parliament to steer the party from a more visible position.

But his categorical rejection now confirms that he intends to remain AAP's national leader and focus on organizational development, rather than taking a seat in the Rajya Sabha.

Who Could Fill Arora’s Seat?

Now that Kejriwal has stepped aside, attention shifts to other probable candidates who may be nominated by AAP to the vacant Rajya Sabha seat. Possible contenders include:

• Manish Sisodia: Former Delhi Deputy CM, still a trusted lieutenant of Kejriwal despite facing legal and political challenges

• A senior Punjab leader: To maintain representation and appease the strong support base in Punjab

• An outsider or professional technocrat: AAP has a history of bringing in educated professionals into key roles

No official announcement has yet been made regarding the replacement.

Arora’s Background and Upcoming Resignation

Sanjeev Arora, a businessman-turned-politician, was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2022. His term was expected to last until 2028, but his win in Ludhiana West will necessitate his formal resignation from Parliament, as dual membership is not allowed. Once this occurs, the process to elect a new Rajya Sabha member will begin, with the Punjab Assembly facilitating the appointment.

Kejriwal’s Political Trajectory So Far

Kejriwal, who founded the Aam Aadmi Party after a successful anti-corruption campaign in 2012, first became Chief Minister of Delhi in 2013. He resigned within 49 days, only to come back stronger in 2015 and 2020 with full majorities. His attempt to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Narendra Modi from Varanasi resulted in a heavy defeat, following which he never again contested a Lok Sabha seat.

Since then, Kejriwal has positioned himself as a regional satrap with national ambitions, with the Punjab victory in 2022 seen as his biggest win outside Delhi. However, setbacks in Gujarat and Delhi in 2024 and 2025 have weakened his political momentum to some extent.

Still, Kejriwal remains a central figure in Indian politics, often praised for policy innovation and governance reforms in education, health, and power sectors. His decision not to move to Rajya Sabha may indicate his preference to stay accessible to grassroots party workers and prepare for the 2029 General Elections.

Political Implications for AAP

By not taking the Rajya Sabha route, Kejriwal sends a strong message to both party cadres and political observers — that his role is to lead from the front, not just represent the party in a ceremonial or legislative capacity. It also prevents any narrative that Kejriwal is seeking political refuge after electoral defeats.

This decision may help rally grassroots workers, re-energize the base, and keep the focus on building the party from the ground up, especially in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where AAP is working to establish a footprint.

However, critics argue that a more active Parliamentary presence could have allowed Kejriwal to challenge national policies and make more direct interventions in legislative matters.

Conclusion: Kejriwal Not Heading to Upper House — For Now

Despite multiple rounds of media speculation and shifting electoral outcomes, Arvind Kejriwal has made it clear that he is not going to the Rajya Sabha. His focus remains on strengthening AAP's national presence, preparing for future state elections, and nurturing the party base across the country.

With the Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab now vacant, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining who AAP nominates next — and what that choice reveals about the party’s evolving strategy.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Pushpa Jewellers, Cedaar Textile, Adcounty Media India, Marc Loire Fashions, Indogulf Cropsciences, Moving Media Entertainment, Rama Telecom, Supertech EV, Valencia India, Neetu Yoshi, PRO FX Tech, Suntech Infra Solutions, Ace Alpha Tech, Sambhav Steel Tubes, HDB Financials.

The Current active IPO are  Abram Food, Shri Hare-Krishna Sponge Iron, Icon Facilitators, Globe Civil Projects, Ellenbarrie Indutrial Gases, Kalpataru,AJC Jewel, Aakaar Medical Technologies, Safe Enterprises Retail Fixtures, Mayasheel Ventures.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.