Major Setback for AAP as Seven MLAs Resign Over Ticket Denial
New Delhi, January 31 – In a significant political upheaval just days before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suffered a major jolt as seven of its sitting MLAs have tendered their resignations. The mass resignation comes in protest against the party’s decision to deny them tickets for the upcoming polls.
The seven MLAs who have resigned include:
- Rajesh Rishi (Janakpuri)
- Naresh Yadav (Mehrauli)
- Rohit Kumar Mehraulia (Trilokpuri)
- Bhavna Gaur (Palam)
- Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar)
- Bhupendra Singh Joon (Bijwasan)
- Pawan Sharma (Adarsh Nagar)
Key Resignations and Allegations Against AAP
1. Two-Time Janakpuri MLA Rajesh Rishi Quits Over Party’s “Corruption”
Rajesh Rishi, a two-term MLA from Janakpuri, has resigned from AAP’s primary membership and all associated positions. In his resignation letter to Arvind Kejriwal, Rishi accused the party of abandoning its core principles and becoming engulfed in corruption. He further alleged that the sacrifice of Santosh Koli was disregarded, and the “murderer” of Koli was awarded a ticket, terming it a betrayal of party workers.
Slamming the leadership, Rishi wrote,
“AAP has become a haven for an unchecked gang. The party is now synonymous with corruption, nepotism, and dictatorship.”
2. Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav Cites Corruption as Reason for Resignation
Naresh Yadav, the sitting MLA from Mehrauli, accused AAP of indulging in corruption. Despite initially receiving a ticket, the party later revoked it, allegedly due to legal controversies surrounding Yadav. He was convicted in the Quran desecration case in Punjab but secured a stay from a higher court.
In his resignation letter, he expressed disillusionment, stating,
“AAP was born from the anti-corruption Anna movement, yet it has failed to eradicate corruption. Instead, the party itself is now deeply mired in corrupt practices.”
3. Dalit Leader Rohit Kumar Mehraulia Resigns from Trilokpuri Seat
Rohit Kumar Mehraulia, a key Dalit leader and Trilokpuri MLA, has also quit AAP after being denied a ticket. Having been associated with AAP since the Anna Hazare movement, Mehraulia expressed his frustration on social media, saying,
“They want only Babasaheb’s photo, not his ideas! I sever all ties with such opportunistic and pretentious individuals. I resign from AAP’s primary membership and all positions.”
4. Palam MLA Bhavna Gaur Quits, Losing Trust in AAP
Sitting Palam MLA Bhavna Gaur, who was also denied a ticket, submitted a concise resignation letter citing her loss of faith in Arvind Kejriwal and AAP. She was reportedly dissatisfied with the way the party handled ticket distribution.
5. Kasturba Nagar MLA Madan Lal’s Trust in AAP Shattered
Madan Lal, the Kasturba Nagar MLA, has also parted ways with AAP, citing disillusionment with the party’s ideology. He stated that AAP had strayed from its founding principles, leading him to resign.
6. Bijwasan MLA Bhupendra Singh Joon Steps Down
Bhupendra Singh Joon, the sitting MLA from Bijwasan, resigned, claiming that AAP had “lost its moral direction.” Joon, who was denied a ticket this election cycle, expressed disappointment over the party’s ideological drift.
7. Adarsh Nagar MLA Pawan Sharma Resigns Over AAP’s Decline
Pawan Sharma, MLA from Adarsh Nagar, also resigned from AAP, writing to Arvind Kejriwal that the party no longer adheres to its founding values.
“AAP’s deterioration is deeply disheartening. The party has deviated from the honest ideology it once stood for. Please accept my resignation.”
Political Repercussions and Impact on AAP’s Election Campaign
These mass resignations just five days before polling could severely impact AAP’s electoral prospects in Delhi. The denial of tickets to sitting MLAs and the subsequent backlash indicate internal discord within the party.
The resignations also lend credence to allegations that AAP is moving away from its anti-corruption and good governance agenda, which was the cornerstone of its rise to power in Delhi. With opposition parties likely to capitalize on this turmoil, AAP’s leadership now faces a critical challenge in damage control.
As the Delhi Assembly elections draw closer, this exodus of MLAs could influence voter sentiment, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
