New Delhi, In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for January 19, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated Swati Maliwal, the current Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), as one of its candidates. The decision was announced by the AAP’s Political Affairs Committee, led by national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
The move comes as the six-year tenure of three Rajya Sabha MPs from Delhi, namely Sanjay Singh, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Narain Dass Gupta, is set to conclude this month. The election to fill these seats is slated for January 19, with the incumbents’ terms ending on January 27.
Notably, despite facing charges in a money laundering case linked to the Excise policy, Sanjay Singh has been re-nominated by the AAP. Singh, who is currently in jail, was granted permission by a Delhi court to sign his re-nomination documents from prison. The seriousness of the allegations against him was affirmed by the court when rejecting his bail plea on December 22, 2023.
The AAP has also decided to re-nominate ND Gupta, the party treasurer, and shift Sushil Kumar Gupta’s focus to Haryana, where he serves as the President of the AAP’s state unit. This strategic move aligns with the party’s intentions to strengthen its presence in Haryana, especially with state elections anticipated later in the year.
Swati Maliwal, chosen to replace Sushil Kumar Gupta in the Rajya Sabha nominations, is a well-known women’s rights activist. Prior to her role as the head of DCW, Maliwal played a key advisory role to the Delhi Chief Minister on public grievances. Her active involvement in the India Against Corruption movement underscores her commitment to women’s issues, advocating for stronger laws against violence towards women and the promotion of gender equality.
The Rajya Sabha nominations indicate the AAP’s keen focus on key leadership positions, strategically positioning individuals with diverse expertise. As the political landscape evolves in the capital, the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections will undoubtedly shape the party’s trajectory in the coming years.
With inputs from agencies
