Did Delhi BJP and AAP Clash Over 15 Councillors Leaving Kejriwal’s Party?

New Delhi, May 17 (NationPress) In a heated exchange marked by accusations of horse trading, the ruling BJP and the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) found themselves at odds over the recent departure of 15 councillors from Arvind Kejriwal’s party, who have now decided to establish their own political entity.

AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar claimed that the BJP allegedly offered as much as Rs 5 crore per councillor to entice them away just before the mayoral elections.

She accused the BJP of leveraging financial influence to secure the necessary numbers for a majority in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, suggesting that the party is attempting to purchase councillors since it lacks enough members to create a standing committee or ward committee.

In response to these allegations, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva expressed disappointment, stating that the former AAP leaders, who feel defeated and disillusioned, are deflecting blame onto the BJP for the significant divide within their municipal corporation faction.

Sachdeva highlighted that both in their resignation letters and during their press announcement, the departing councillors have clearly articulated that the AAP has failed to focus on effective municipal governance or maintain coordination with its councillors since the 2022 elections.

He affirmed, “In this context, it is evident that the BJP played no role.”

The BJP President further noted that due to Kejriwal’s rigid stance, he has not facilitated the formation of a Standing Committee within the Municipal Corporation nor has he engaged in dialogues with his councillors.

“Consequently, even after more than half of their term has elapsed, AAP councillors have not been able to initiate any development projects,” he stated.

Sachdeva suggested that facing halted development and fearing public scrutiny in the upcoming elections, the 15 AAP councillors opted to form their own party.

He urged AAP leaders to reflect on their internal issues rather than attributing their collapse to the BJP.

This exodus of 15 councillors is not an isolated incident; previously, more than 15 MLAs, including three ministers, over 10 councillors, and one Rajya Sabha MP, have accused Kejriwal of leading the party without collaboration, steering it towards ruin, according to Sachdeva.

These 15 municipal councillors in Delhi officially resigned from AAP on Saturday, unveiling the creation of a new political party named the Indraprastha Vikas Party.

This new front will be spearheaded by Hemchand Goel, with notable former AAP figures such as 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 playing pivotal roles in this new organization.