Industrialist Rajinder Gupta Set to Enter Rajya Sabha as AAP Nominee – The Trident Story
Boardroom to Rajya Sabha! The Rise of Trident Group Chief Rajinder Gupta – AAP’s Surprise Pick
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 5, 2025 – In a move that has captured the attention of both the business and political spheres, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated Rajinder Gupta, the celebrated industrialist and chairman of Trident Group, as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Punjab.
The seat fell vacant after Sanjeev Arora, the former Rajya Sabha member, won the Ludhiana assembly seat. The election is scheduled for October 24, and the winner will serve the remainder of the three-year term.
A Journey from Barnala to Global Fame
Rajinder Gupta’s story is the quintessential entrepreneurial saga. Born in Bathinda in 1959 into the Baniya community of Punjab’s Malwa region, Gupta began his industrial journey in Barnala with a modest chemical factory, Abhishek Chemicals, in 1985.
Notably, the Baniya community in this region is popularly referred to as “Jatt Baniye”, known for combining rural lifestyle with sharp entrepreneurial skills.
Coming from a humble background, Gupta’s talent, dedication, and perseverance helped him build a billion-dollar enterprise that exports high-quality products worldwide. Over time, he diversified into textiles and paper, transforming the Trident Group into a globally recognized brand with units in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
Today, Trident’s terry towels, Bed Linen and eco-friendly products are sold in over 100 countries, making it one of India’s proudest exports. The company is also known for processing cotton & wheat straw into sustainable products, providing jobs to local farming communities—especially women—and promoting a model of ethical, environmentally conscious industrialization.
Recognition and Respect
Gupta’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the country’s most prestigious awards like Young Entrepreneur Award by the then Finance Minister, Late S. Manmohan Singh, Padma Shri in 2007 by Dr. Abdul Kalam, and his business success earned him the attention of economists and political leaders alike. He has been heading Industry Chambers like CII & FICCI for decades and has been Chairman / Board of Punjab Technical University, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University), Chandigarh
As Baljit Balli, Editor-In Chief Babushahi Network, puts it, “Rajinder Gupta is a man of few words, humble, and low-profile, well-versed with ground realities yet he has always maintained a secular, liberal and forward-thinking approach.”
Despite being a prominent figure, he has maintained a low-profile, humble presence, earning admiration across party lines. He has been associated with former stalwarts like Late Comrade Surjit Singh, General Secretary of CPI, Economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia. He has worked under patronage of NDA, UPA-1, UPA-2 Central Governments and Janta Party, Akali-BJP, Congress & AAP State Governments in Punjab and in both Congress & BJP Governments in Madhya Pradesh.
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Bridging Industry and Politics
Recently, Gupta resigned as Vice Chairman of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board and as Chairperson of the Kali Devi Temple Advisory Committee, fueling speculation about his entry into active politics—a speculation now confirmed with AAP’s nomination.
Rajinder Gupta has been the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh for a long time. Apart from this, he has also been involved in the management of small IT institutions of the country in some form or the other.
Recently, Gupta resigned from his role as Vice Chairman of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, which he served for almost two decades in Akali-BJP, Congress & AAP Governments, as well as Chairperson of the Kali Devi Temple Advisory Committee. These moves sparked speculation about his entry into active politics—a speculation now confirmed with AAP’s nomination.
What makes Gupta’s candidacy unique is that he will be the only AAP Rajya Sabha member from the Malwa region, whereas previous members were largely from Doaba or Delhi. Political observers note that his liberal and secular outlook, combined with a deep understanding of industry, could be a major asset for Punjab’s economic and social growth.
Beyond Business: A Patron of Sports and Community
Gupta is not just a business leader. A sports enthusiast, he has served as head of the Punjab Cricket Association and organized tournaments in Punjab. Through Trident Group, he has supported various sporting initiatives, promoting youth engagement and community development.
His story is one of vision and perseverance: turning a small factory into a globally recognized company, nurturing communities, promoting sports, and now stepping into the political arena to represent Malwa in the Rajya Sabha.
Why This Matters
AAP’s decision to field Rajinder Gupta sends a message that the party values experience, leadership, and cross-party goodwill. As an industrialist with strong secular and liberal values, Gupta brings a blend of expertise and pragmatism that could help shape Punjab’s future in industry, sports, and social development.
From Barnala’s factory floors to Parliament’s corridors, Rajinder Gupta’s journey is far from ordinary—and it’s just beginning.
