New Delhi: After a crushing defeat in Delhi assembly elections, the results for which were announced on February 8, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal faces an uncertain political future.
Once an undisputed leader in the city, Kejriwal not only lost his own assembly seat but also saw his party’s dominance crumble. The AAP could win only 22 out of 70 seats, while the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 seats. Almost all the top leaders of the party including Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bharadwaj failed to win their seats.
Potential entry into the Rajya Sabha
With AAP now relegated to the opposition, speculation is rife about Kejriwal’s potential entry into the Rajya Sabha to continue his political fight. A senior AAP leader, speaking to News18 on condition of anonymity, hinted that Kejriwal might move to the Upper House as a way to maintain his political influence.
“The aim of coming to power was to serve the people. We will continue that. If not as the chief minister of Delhi, then maybe as a Rajya Sabha MP,” the leader said.
AAP currently holds 10 Rajya Sabha seats—three from Delhi and seven from Punjab. The Delhi seats are valid until 2030, while the Punjab seats have a tenure until 2028.
Upper House route through Punjab?
The most viable route for Kejriwal could be from Punjab, where his party enjoys a comfortable majority. Unlike Delhi, where AAP’s reduced numbers would make winning a bypoll difficult, Punjab offers a safer path should an existing MP vacate their seat.
“As a public representative, you have the power to raise the issues being faced by the masses. Although he is heading a national party, a Rajya Sabha membership would help further,” the leader added.
Legal challenges loom large
Kejriwal’s future, however, is not just about politics—it is also deeply entangled in legal battles. His alleged involvement in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy has led to multiple investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Both agencies have filed cases against him. The three-term CM was arrested in March 2024 on money laundering charges by the ED and later on corruption allegations in June by CBI. He was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in September last year but remains under legal scrutiny.
A case has also been filed against him in Haryana after he alleged the BJP government in the state of poisoning the Yamuna river.
