Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Dec 12: In a major jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just days before the zilla panchayat elections, state vice-president Ramrao Surya Wagh tendered his resignation late Wednesday night, stepping down from all organisational posts as well as primary membership. The unexpected exit has triggered unease within the party, which now finds itself grappling with a leadership vacuum at a crucial electoral moment.

Wagh submitted his resignation to state president Amit Palekar. A former BJP leader, he had joined AAP in December 2021, contesting the 2022 assembly polls from St Andre after saying he was “inspired by Kejriwal”. He had earlier contested the 2017 assembly polls on a BJP ticket.

Party insiders say Wagh’s resignation stems from widening differences over election strategy. He is believed to have pushed for a pre-poll alliance with Congress for the upcoming ZP elections — a suggestion the AAP leadership turned down. His exit has intensified concerns within the party, especially as it struggles to project strong campaigners capable of connecting with rural voters.

Over the past year, AAP had been working to build grassroots support by highlighting issues such as irregular water supply, poor roads and mounting waste-management problems. Wagh, party sources say, had played a key role in bringing these concerns to the forefront.