In jolt to AAP, several councillors quit, float Indraprastha Vikas Party

In a significant setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), just three months after the Delhi assembly elections, several party councillors have resigned and announced the formation of a new political outfit — Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP). 

The party will be led by Hemchand Goel, with prominent former AAP leaders including Mukesh Goel, Himani Jain, Devindra Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Ladi, Suman Anil Rana, Dinesh Bhardwaj, Runakshi Sharma, Manisha, Sahib Kumar, Rakhi Yadav, Usha Sharma, and Ashok Pandey taking key positions in the breakaway faction.

In a joint statement, the rebel councillors accused the AAP leadership of failing to effectively manage the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and of not delivering on promises made to the public. "For failing to fulfill the commitments made to the people, we hereby resign," read the statement issued by the dissident group.

Rejecting any possibility of aligning with the BJP, Mukesh Goel said the IVP will function as an independent opposition force. "We will sit in opposition. Our party — Indraprastha Vikas Party — has been formed to raise the voice of the people and to focus on the development of our areas. We will not ally with the BJP. We welcome leaders from other parties who share our vision," said Goel, explaining the reasons behind the split.

Councillor Ashok Pandey, representing ward 109, Vikas Nagar, said the councillors had repeatedly raised issues like sanitation, drainage, and the regularisation of unauthorised colonies but received no support or funds from the party leadership.

"We came into politics to work for our wards. But no development work happened in the last two-and-a-half years. Our colonies remained unauthorised, garbage piled up, drainage systems failed, and our pleas to the senior leadership went unheard. That’s why we decided to form the Indraprastha Vikas Party," Pandey stated.

While some see the BJP's hand in the split, some others claim this reflects a wider crisis within the AAP. Notably, the AAP has not reacted to the development so far.

Echoing the sentiment, councillor Himani Jain said, "In the last two-and-a-half years, no work was done in the corporation despite being in power. This compelled us to chart a new path. Our party is committed to the development of Delhi. So far, 15 councillors have resigned and more are likely to join."

This report will be updated with a reaction from the AAP as soon as one is available