Big blow to Arvind Kejriwal: Seven AAP MLAs resign days before Delhi polls

In a major setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just five days ahead of the crucial Delhi assembly elections, seven sitting MLAs have resigned, citing a loss of faith in Arvind Kejriwal's leadership. Their resignations come amid growing internal dissent and allegations of corruption within the party.

The seven legislators — 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) — all found themselves denied tickets for the upcoming elections.

Some sources claimed that all seven MLAs are in talks with the BJP, and they are likely to join the saffron party in days to come. A letter reportedly written by Bhawna Goud to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking an appointment is being shared on social media. However, the authenticity of the letter cannot be confirmed.

The most high-profile resignation was that of Naresh Yadav, who had represented Mehrauli for a decade. His exclusion from the candidates’ list followed his conviction in a Quran desecration case by a Punjab court, which sentenced him to two years in jail. The party instead fielded Mahender Chaudhary for the seat.

In his resignation letter, Yadav accused the AAP of betraying its founding principles of "honest politics" and alleged that the party had become "entangled in the swamp of corruption itself". His remarks alluded to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, which saw both Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia imprisoned for several months.

Rohit Kumar Mehraulia, the outgoing Trilokpuri MLA, took to X to express his disillusionment. A participant in the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement, he claimed that the AAP had failed to uphold its promise of social justice for Dalit and Valmiki communities. He particularly criticised the party’s failure to abolish contract-based labour and regularise temporary workers.

Janakpuri’s Rajesh Rishi also delivered a scathing attack on AAP’s leadership, stating that the party had strayed far from its original commitment to clean governance. “What was once a crusade against corruption has now turned into a cesspit of nepotism,” Rishi wrote in his resignation letter.

The timing of these resignations could significantly impact the AAP’s electoral prospects as Delhi heads to the polls on 5 February. With counting scheduled for 8 February, the exodus of sitting MLAs may add to the party’s woes amid corruption allegations and growing dissatisfaction within its ranks.

Condemning the MLAs, AAP national spokesperson Reena Gupta said a survey conducted by the party had revealed that all of them were unavailable to the public in their respective constituencies and that is why they were denied poll tickets.

"We did not give them tickets because of the unfavourable results of the survey. The fact that they are now attending another party after being refused tickets is not a huge deal. It is a part of politics," Gupta said.

Political observers believe that these developments could shift voter sentiments, potentially benefiting the BJP and the Congress, both of which have ramped up their campaigns in the national capital.

With the elections just days away, AAP faces an uphill battle to retain power for a fourth consecutive term as discontent reportedly brews within its own ranks. 

With PTI inputs