Setback to AAP as 8 MLAs resign just five days ahead of Delhi polls

New Delhi: In a major setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just five days before the Assembly elections, eight MLAs who were denied tickets have resigned from the party.

The legislators — Rajesh Rishi (Janakpuri), Naresh Yadav (Mehrauli), Bhawna Goud (Palam), Rohit Kumar Mehraulia (Trilokpuri), B.S. Joon (Bijwasan), Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar), Pawan Sharma (Adarsh Nagar), and Girish Soni (Madipur) — have resigned from both the party’s primary membership and the Assembly by formally writing to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Speaker.

Naresh Yadav, the AAP MLA from Mehrauli, announced his resignation on X. Expressing disappointment, he criticised AAP for deviating from its founding principles.

“AAP was born out of the Anna movement against corruption, but today, it is engulfed in the very corruption it once opposed,” Yadav stated.

“I joined AAP for honest politics, but honesty is now missing. I have served Mehrauli with integrity for the past 10 years, and the people know I have always prioritised good governance.”

Yadav claimed that after consulting with his constituents, he found widespread disillusionment with the party’s current direction. “The people of Delhi see that AAP has embraced corruption,” he alleged.

Thanking his supporters, Yadav pledged to continue politics based on honesty and good governance. “I seek my constituents’ support in the future as well,” he added.

Rohit Kumar Mehraulia, shared his discontent on ‘X’, explaining that he had joined AAP during the Anna Hazare movement with the hope of securing social justice for the Dalit and Valmiki communities, which have long suffered discrimination and exploitation.

Mehraulia pointed out that despite AAP’s promises to uplift these communities, the party had failed to address crucial issues like the cessation of contract-based labour and the permanent employment of temporary workers. He accused the leadership of using his community as a mere vote bank to further their political agenda, while suppressing his efforts to raise concerns on their behalf.

Rajesh Rishi, MLA from Janakpuri, also resigned, detailing his growing disenchantment with AAP’s departure from its core values.

In his resignation letter, he criticised the party for betraying the principles of corruption-free governance and transparency it was founded on. Rishi, a former supporter of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, condemned AAP for abandoning its commitment to fight corruption, alleging that the party had become a “cesspit of nepotism and corruption”.

He also mentioned how the party had failed to honour the sacrifices of its workers, including the case of Santosh Koli, whose death he felt was exploited for political gain. Rishi concluded that the party, once a beacon of integrity, had become an “unruly gang”, betraying the trust of its supporters.

Other MLAs who resigned have also issued public statements and shared their decisions on social media.

As the February 5 polls approach, the battle for Delhi is intensifying, with AAP, BJP, and the Congress pulling out all the stops to secure voter support. The final outcome of this high-stakes contest will be known on February 8 when votes will be counted.

IANS

Jamia students protest at Jantar Mantar over suspension of 17 students

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia students staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday against the suspension of 17 students for participating in demonstrations on the campus.  ...

Strong earthquake tremors shake Delhi-NCR ; epicentre capital

New Delhi: Strong earthquake tremors shook the Delhi-NCR region in the early hours of Monday, creating panic among residents. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremors, registering...

New CM’s name will be out in couple of days, says Delhi BJP chief; 3 AAP councillors jump ship

New Delhi: The suspense over the name of the new Delhi Chief Minister is likely to continue for a few more days, hinted Delhi BJP President Virender Sachdeva on Saturday,...

Delhi Police framed Amanatullah Khan in false case, says AAP’s Priyanka Kakkar

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar has accused the Delhi Police of registering a "fake case" against party MLA from Okhla Amanatullah Khan, alleging that the charges...

Delhi Police conducting raids to arrest AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

New Delhi: Trouble continues to mount for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Okhla, Amanatullah Khan, as a joint team of the Delhi Police and the Crime Branch is conducting...

Will rename Mustafabad to Shivpuri or Shiv Vihar: Delhi BJP MLA

New Delhi: The newly elected BJP MLA from Mustafabad, Mohan Singh Bisht, on Sunday said that the Assembly constituency would soon be renamed to Shivpuri or Shiv Vihar. He won...

Dreams of Sahib Singh Verma will now be fulfilled: Parvesh Verma

New Delhi: BJP's winning candidate from the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma, received a grand welcome in his native village, Mundka, on Sunday. Following his victory over AAP National...

Fight against BJP will continue: Atishi after winning from Kalkaji

New Delhi: Delhi’s outgoing Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Atishi has secured victory from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by over 3,000 votes. Extending...

Bomb threats emailed to schools in Delhi-NCR; authorities declare premises safe after search

New Delhi: Multiple schools in Delhi-NCR, including Shiv Nadar School, Noida, and Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar, received bomb threats via email on Friday morning, triggering an immediate security response....

Fate of 699 candidates sealed as voting for Delhi polls ends

New Delhi: A total of 1.5 crore eligible Delhi voters sealed the fate of 699 candidates in the Assembly election on Wednesday to pick a new 70-member House with the...

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan booked for violating MCC

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan has been booked on charges of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) before the Delhi Assembly elections.   The Okhla...

Delhi decides today: President Murmu, LG cast votes as capital goes to polls

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu cast her vote for the Delhi Assembly elections on Wednesday, exercising her franchise at Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya, President's Estate, amid tight security arrangements. Earlier...

Read Previous

Swara Bhasker shares ‘more drama’ as her X account gets hacked

Read Next

Matter of few days before BJP bares AAP govt’s corruption: PM Modi

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com