AAP’s Delhi Setback: 15 Councillors Resign, Create Rival Party
New Delhi: In a significant jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 15 municipal councillors in Delhi have resigned and launched a new political outfit — the Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP) — citing internal dysfunction and failure to deliver on public promises.
The new party will be led by Hemchand Goel, with prominent former AAP members including Mukesh Goel (ex-Leader of the House in MCD), Himani Jain, Devindra Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Ladi, and others playing key roles.
Mukesh Goel said the decision was driven by the party’s inability to ensure smooth functioning in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. “We were unable to serve the public due to frequent disruptions. There was no coordination between the party leadership and councillors,” he stated.
While 15 councillors have reportedly exited AAP, only 13 names were disclosed in the resignation letter, with two councillors absent during the announcement.
The joint letter blamed AAP’s top leadership for the chaos within MCD and the party’s failure to remain in power despite winning in 2022. It further alleged that poor communication from the top resulted in public disappointment and their ultimate resignation.
This is the latest blow to AAP in a series of high-profile defections. In recent months, six other councillors have defected to the BJP, prompting AAP to withdraw its mayoral candidate in April — effectively allowing the BJP to regain control of the civic body.
