Raghuram Rajan may soon enter Rajya Sabha on AAP ticket
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been considering giving its three Rajya Sabha (RS) seats to "outsiders," that is, those who don't belong to any political party. Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan is one of the names they are considering. The term of those members nominated by AAP will begin in January. Why is Raghuram Rajan AAP's choice? Read on!
Who is Raghuram Rajan?
Rajan is often credited for predicting the 2008 global recession three years before it hit, besides successfully managing inflation, boosting stock prices and stabilizing the Indian rupee. At 40, he became the youngest person to be appointed as the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund. He served as RBI's chief from 2013 to 2016. Currently, he teaches finance at the University of Chicago.
Why has AAP chosen Rajan?
AAP feels that Rajan's nomination will increase AAP's audience outside Delhi in the run-up to the general elections in 2019. Further, having people from different professions will give AAP's arguments weight in the RS. Rajan is also known to have astute opinions. He had strongly opposed demonetization's implementation. He had resigned shortly thereafter, opposing the move. Reportedly, Rajan is seriously considering the offer.
Meanwhile, RS nominations have been causing a rift in AAP
As AAP celebrates its five-year anniversary on November 26, the decision about whom to nominate to RS has caused friction within the party. Kumar Vishwas harbors ambitions of an RS membership. But, another bloc within AAP feels that his nomination might not bode well, as he has been openly critical of the party. Reportedly, Ashutosh Singh and Sanjay Singh are front-runners for one seat.
What does this imply?
Poet-turned-politician Vishwas has been vocal about his disagreements with the party. He had threatened to quit the party in May after AAP member Amanatullah Khan had called him an "RSS agent." Purportedly, Vishwas had also made a veiled attack on AAP about alleged corruption before the Delhi municipality polls that affected party's voteshare. Thus, it seems unlikely that Vishwas would be nominated to RS.
