Senior AAP Leader Makes Shock Switch to BJP
In a significant political development that deals a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party, senior leader and former two-time MLA Rajesh Gupta officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday. The defection comes at a crucial time ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi bypolls, potentially reshaping the political landscape in the national capital.
The joining ceremony took place in the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who formally welcomed Gupta into the party fold by presenting him with the BJP's signature stole. The event marked a dramatic turn in Delhi politics as Gupta had previously served as AAP's national spokesperson and even headed its Karnataka unit.
Emotional Departure from AAP
According to statements released by the Delhi BJP, Gupta became emotional during the joining ceremony as he reflected on his contributions to AAP and what he described as the mockery he received in return. The former MLA reportedly broke down in tears while recalling his experiences with Arvind Kejriwal's party.
Gupta revealed that when the AAP was initially founded, numerous prominent individuals had enthusiastically joined hands with Kejriwal, but the party leader had ultimately betrayed everyone. He noted that one by one, these early supporters had chosen to leave Kejriwal, and he had now unfortunately joined that growing list of former allies.
Allegations of 'Use and Throw' Culture
The former AAP leader identified what he called the biggest reason behind AAP's downfall - the treatment of workers in a use and throw manner. Gupta claimed that despite his years of sincerity, honesty, and loyalty to the party, when he raised concerns about various issues, the party president wasn't even willing to speak with him.
He emphasized that this situation was particularly telling given that AAP is currently neither in power in the Delhi government nor controlling the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Gupta specifically criticized the party's decision to give a ticket for the Ashok Vihar ward bypoll to a candidate who had reportedly been issued a notice by the party itself.
BJP Leadership Responds
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva seized the opportunity to criticize the AAP leadership, stating that AAP leaders are now listing shortcomings and problems in Delhi that were actually created during their party's 12-year rule. He questioned why they were now criticizing a BJP government that has only been in power for eight months.
Sachdeva also commented that Rajesh Gupta had created a distinct identity for himself as a responsible MLA, but Arvind Kejriwal had failed to value that identity. The BJP leader further suggested that the circumstances under which Kejriwal left Delhi after losing the Assembly polls demand close examination.
In a pointed remark about AAP's current campaign efforts, Sachdeva noted that with both Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia entirely missing from the scene, AAP leaders Atishi and Gopal Rai are merely making what he called special appearances in Delhi for the MCD bypoll campaigning.
This political defection represents another chapter in the ongoing realignment of Delhi's political forces and could significantly impact the upcoming municipal bypolls, potentially weakening AAP's position while strengthening the BJP's campaign machinery in the capital.
