Delhi election 2025: Eighth AAP MLA submits resignation days before voting

The exodus of Aam Aadmi Party MLAs continued on Friday night with an eighth lawmaker submitting his resignation ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. 

Some of the lawmakers have also hit out at the party as well as AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over various issues. Source-based reports indicate that the lawmakers were disgruntled after being denied tickets for the polls and remained in touch with other parties.

"The seven MLAs were anguished over being given a cold shoulder by the party and its leaders, despite working honestly for years. We will soon share our future strategy," outgoing MLA Madan Lal told PTI earlier today.

Both Lal and fellow lawmaker Bhavna Gaur claimed in their resignation letters that they had “lost faith" in Arvind Kejriwal and the party. Others claimed that the AAP had witnessed a "significant deviation" from the values and principles upon which it was founded.

“The party has deviated from the honest ideology on which the Aam Aadmi Party was formed. I am very sad to see the plight of the Aam Aadmi Party. Please accept my resignation,” added Pawan Kumar Sharma.

Who are the eight outgoing AAP MLAs?

Madan Lal — Kasturba Nagar

Bhavna Gaur — Palam

Naresh Yadav — Mehrauli

Rohit Mehraulia — Trilokpuri

Pawan Sharma — Adarsh Nagar

B S Joon — Bijwasan

Rajesh Rishi — Janakpuri

Girish Soni — Madipur

The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on February 5, while counting of votes will be held on February 8.

AAP MLAs in touch with Shiv Sena?

The resignations came even as Eknath Shinde claimed that sitting lawmakers from the party were in touch with the Shiv Sena for the Delhi polls. The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister said that they had not been fielded in order to avoid division of votes since the party has announced support to the BJP.

"Sitting MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party had contacted us but we are in alliance with the BJP. We two parties (the BJP and Shiv Sena) are like-minded. So to avoid division of votes which would have benefitted rivals, we did not field candidates. We have fully supported the BJP in Delhi," Shinde told reporters on Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies)