The announcement that industrialist Rajinder Gupta, Chairman of Trident Group, may be the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election scheduled for October 24, has sparked sharp criticism. Party workers and political observers alike have condemned the move, calling it another example of how political parties favor wealth over dedication and service.
Rajinder Gupta, a prominent businessman with vast industrial interests, is reportedly set to file his nomination papers next week for the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab. However, the choice has drawn widespread resentment among AAP workers and supporters, who say that Gupta has no significant contribution toward the welfare or progress of Punjab, nor has he been associated with the party’s grassroots struggles.
Critics argue that AAP’s decision undermines its original principles of clean politics and people’s representation, as the party was born out of a movement against cronyism and money power. The selection of a billionaire industrialist, they say, contradicts the very foundation of the party’s ideology.
Long-time AAP workers who have toiled for years to build the organization in Punjab feel deeply betrayed. Many claim that those who stood by the party during difficult times are now being sidelined, while influential outsiders with wealth and connections are being rewarded. “It is heartbreaking to see that dedication and honesty are ignored, and only richness is considered a qualification,” remarked one disillusioned worker.
Political analysts view the development as a sign of AAP’s growing detachment from its volunteer base. By choosing Rajinder Gupta, the party has sent a message that financial stature now outweighs grassroots commitment. The move, according to critics, erodes public trust and strengthens the perception that even so-called “common man’s parties” are now driven by elite interests.
As the nomination day approaches, the controversy continues to grow, with demands rising from within and outside the party for AAP to reconsider its choice and stay true to the values it once promised to uphold.