MP Maliwal takes swipe at Kejri over RS speculations

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday took a sharp but indirect swipe at AAP national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, amid speculations over his entry to Rajya Sabha.

Her comment comes amid speculations that Kejriwal may seek a Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab. Taking to X, Maliwal posted in Hindi, “Kursi ke liye - kabhi Delhi ka beta, kabhi Haryana ka laal, ab Punjab da puttar (For power – once the son of Delhi, once the son of Haryana, and now the son of Punjab).”

Her remarks are seen as a reaction to conjecture surrounding Kejriwal’s potential move to the Upper House. The speculation gained traction after AAP announced the nomination of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate for the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll.

However, AAP sources have dismissed these rumours, clarifying that Kejriwal has no plans to enter Rajya Sabha.

Sources said: “There is no question of Kejriwal moving to Rajya Sabha. He will continue to lead the party.”

Meanwhile, Arora, a Ludhiana-based industrialist and an incumbent Rajya Sabha MP since 2022, expressed gratitude to the party leadership for fielding him in the bypoll.

“Humbled and grateful to the AAP leadership for reposing faith in me to contest the Ludhiana West bypoll. I look forward to serving my people with dedication and sincerity,” Arora wrote on X.

AAP national general secretary Sandeep Pathak officially announced Arora’s nomination on X earlier in the day. The date for the bypoll is yet to be declared. The Ludhiana West seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi last month. Gogi died at his residence due to an accidental gunshot injury from his licensed weapon.