In a significant political development just five days ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs have tendered their resignations. The legislators, who were denied tickets for re-election, have accused the party of straying from its core principles and failing to uphold its commitment to clean governance.
AAP MLAs Who Resigned
The seven MLAs who stepped down include Naresh Yadav (Mehrauli), Rohit Kumar Mehraulia (Trilokpuri), Rajesh Rishi (Janakpuri), Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar), Pawan Sharma (Adarsh Nagar), Bhawna Goud (Palam), and BS Joon (Bijwasan). Notably, BS Joon was the first among them to submit his resignation, triggering a wave of exits within the party ranks.
Bhawna Goud, the outgoing MLA from Palam, directed her ire towards AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In her resignation letter, she explicitly stated, “I have lost faith in you.” Her statement underscores the growing dissent within the party, as several members express frustration over leadership decisions and political maneuvering.
Naresh Yadav’s Exit Amid Legal Troubles
Naresh Yadav, the two-time Mehrauli MLA, faced legal challenges before his resignation. In December, a Punjab court convicted him in a Quran desecration case, sentencing him to two years in prison. His disqualification from candidacy saw AAP replace him with Mahender Chaudhary in the party’s fifth list of candidates.
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In his resignation letter, Yadav accused AAP of abandoning its founding ideals of “honest politics” and claimed the party had become “entangled in the swamp of corruption itself.” His comments seemingly reference the ongoing Delhi liquor policy case, which led to the arrest of both Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia.
Rohit Kumar Mehraulia Slams AAP’s Broken Promises
Rohit Kumar Mehraulia, the former Trilokpuri MLA, also expressed disillusionment with the party’s leadership. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he recalled joining AAP during the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement, inspired by its vision for social justice. However, he alleged that AAP failed to deliver on key promises, particularly concerning the Dalit and Valmiki communities.
Mehraulia criticized the party for neglecting crucial reforms such as ending contract-based labor and ensuring the permanent absorption of temporary workers. His resignation further highlights the growing discontent among party members over AAP’s inability to fulfill commitments made to marginalized communities.
Impact on Delhi Elections 2024
The mass resignation of seven sitting MLAs ahead of a crucial election has put AAP in a precarious position. With the party already battling allegations of corruption and internal dissent, these exits could impact voter confidence in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have already seized upon the developments, questioning AAP’s credibility and governance track record.
As the February 5 elections approach, all eyes are on the political landscape in Delhi, where AAP will have to navigate these challenges while defending its governance model before the electorate.
