India, Oct. 5 -- Prominent industrialist Rajinder Gupta is likely to be the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) official candidate for the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab in the upcoming bypoll, scheduled for October 24.

The AAP leadership has decided to field a Punjabi face for the seat, in an effort to counter any narrative of Delhi-based leaders dominating Punjab politics. There had been speculation earlier that AAP convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal might be nominated, but the party has opted for a local figure instead.

Gupta, the chairman emeritus of the Trident Group, has long been a key player in Punjab's business and economic affairs. He resigned from two prominent government positions - vice chairman of the...