Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 17: In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), fifteen municipal councillors in Delhi have severed ties with the party and announced the formation of a new political outfit – the Indraprastha Vikas Party – signaling deepening unrest within the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The new party will be helmed by Hemchand Goel, with several senior ex-AAP councillors including Mukesh Goel, Himani Jain, Devindra Kumar, and others stepping into prominent leadership roles. Notably, Mukesh Goel previously served as AAP's Leader of the House in the MCD, making his exit particularly consequential.

Announcing their departure, Mukesh Goel cited a prolonged inability to carry out public work due to persistent disruptions in the House. “For the last year or two, we have been unable to function or deliver on our commitments. The situation compelled us to break away and form the Indraprastha Vikas Party,” he said, adding that more councillors may join their ranks soon.

While fifteen councillors have resigned, only thirteen names were released during the announcement, with two absent from the event and not signing the joint resignation letter.

The councillors’ resignation letter pointed to a dysfunctional internal structure and a complete lack of coordination between AAP’s top leadership and its local representatives. “Despite winning the MCD in 2022, the leadership failed to ensure smooth governance. We couldn’t fulfil our promises to the people, and we take responsibility for that,” the letter read.

This wave of resignations follows a pattern of defections that have plagued AAP’s MCD unit in recent months. In February, the BJP became the largest party in the MCD after three AAP councillors crossed over. Similarly, in September last year, three more councillors switched to the BJP just before a critical standing committee election.

With mounting instability, AAP withdrew from the mayoral race scheduled for April 25, effectively clearing the path for BJP to assume control of the civic body.

The exodus marks yet another political challenge for AAP as it struggles to maintain cohesion and control within the MCD, a space it once dominated with promise and momentum.