Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday named leading industrialist Rajinder Gupta, chairman emeritus of the Trident Group, as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll in Punjab scheduled for October 24.
Gupta, a well-known figure in Punjab’s corporate and policy circles, is expected to file his nomination next week. Ahead of the announcement, he resigned as Vice-Chairman of the State Economic Policy and Planning Board and as Chairperson of the Sri Kali Devi Advisory Committee in Patiala.
Appointed to the Planning Board in 2022, Gupta has held senior advisory positions under successive Congress and SAD-BJP governments as well, enjoying Cabinet-rank status over the years.
Sources said AAP had initially considered sending one of its senior leaders to the Upper House, but opted for a Punjabi face to counter any perception of Delhi leaders dominating Punjab politics.
With a brute majority of 93 MLAs in the 117-member Vidhan Sabha, AAP’s victory is a foregone conclusion. A Rajya Sabha candidate requires only 60 votes, and in line with tradition, the seat is likely to be filled unopposed.
The vacancy was created after Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora resigned earlier this year to contest the Ludhiana West bypoll. He later joined Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Cabinet.
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