Is Aam Aadmi Party facing internal collapse ahead of the Delhi elections?

In a stunning political development just days before the highly anticipated Delhi Assembly elections, seven sitting MLAs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) resign, dealing a significant blow to Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. The departures come at a time when the party is battling for electoral dominance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) in what is expected to be a fiercely contested poll on February 5, 2025.

The AAP MLAs resign, citing disillusionment with the party’s leadership and a departure from its founding principles of transparency, anti-corruption, and clean governance. The lawmakers stepping down include Naresh Yadav (Mehrauli), Rohit Kumar (Trilokpuri), Rajesh Rishi (Janakpuri), Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar), Pawan Sharma (Adarsh Nagar), Bhawna Gaur (Palam), and Bhupinder Singh Joon (Bijwasan).

This Delhi election crisis raises critical questions about AAP’s internal stability and whether Kejriwal’s governance model is losing the trust of its own party members.

Why Did Seven AAP MLAs Resign Just Before the Delhi Elections?

At the heart of this Delhi election crisis is a growing dissatisfaction among AAP’s legislators, who have alleged a breakdown in internal democracy and a shift away from the party’s core ideology. The immediate catalyst for the resignations appears to be the denial of party tickets, which many MLAs claim was influenced by favoritism and a disregard for loyal party workers.

Rohit Kumar from Trilokpuri was particularly vocal about his dissatisfaction, stating that AAP had failed to deliver on promises to uplift the Dalit and Valmiki communities. He accused the leadership of using marginalized groups for political gain while neglecting key policy changes, such as regularizing contract workers.

Similarly, Rajesh Rishi from Janakpuri expressed frustration over the lack of internal transparency, arguing that Kejriwal’s governance has become increasingly centralized, leaving MLAs with little say in key decision-making. He noted that the party, which once prided itself on grassroots activism and people-first politics, had deviated from its core values.

Madan Lal and Bhawna Gaur shared concerns about AAP’s growing disconnect with its members, stating that the party now prioritizes political maneuvering over its original commitment to good governance. Pawan Sharma from Adarsh Nagar and Bhupinder Singh Joon from Bijwasan also voiced their loss of faith in Kejriwal’s leadership, asserting that the party had abandoned its pledge of eradicating corruption and promoting ethical politics.

Has AAP’s Leadership Structure Become More Centralized Under Kejriwal?

The AAP MLAs resign amid accusations that Kejriwal has consolidated power within a select group of advisors, sidelining party members who were instrumental in its early successes. Critics argue that the Delhi election crisis exposes deep-rooted problems within AAP’s leadership structure, where key decisions are allegedly made without consulting the broader party base.

According to political analysts, this shift toward a more centralized leadership may be alienating veteran members who once saw AAP as a party committed to grassroots democracy. The Delhi election crisis is also being seen as a reflection of dissatisfaction among AAP’s cadre, many of whom believe that the party has increasingly adopted conventional political tactics rather than staying true to its disruptive, anti-establishment roots.

How Has the AAP Leadership Responded to the Crisis?

In response to the Delhi election crisis, AAP’s leadership has strongly defended its candidate selection process, insisting that ticket allocations were based on performance metrics and electoral viability. The party dismissed allegations of corruption and favoritism, asserting that the AAP MLAs resign not out of ideological concerns but due to personal ambitions.

An AAP spokesperson stated that introducing new candidates was necessary for rejuvenating the party and maintaining electoral competitiveness. The spokesperson also suggested that some of the resigning MLAs may have been in talks with opposition parties, hinting at possible defections to the BJP or Congress.

However, Kejriwal has yet to make a direct statement regarding the resignations, leading to speculation about whether AAP’s leadership is underplaying the potential fallout of this Delhi election crisis.

Could This Mass Resignation Impact AAP’s Performance in the Delhi Elections?

With only days left before polling, the AAP MLAs resigning could significantly impact voter perception, especially among those who supported the party for its commitment to clean governance and political accountability. The Delhi election crisis has given the opposition a strong narrative to target Kejriwal, questioning whether AAP can maintain internal discipline while promising good governance.

The BJP and Congress are likely to seize on these developments, portraying the resignations as proof of AAP’s weakening credibility. If voter sentiment shifts as a result of these resignations, it could lead to unexpected electoral outcomes, potentially narrowing the lead that AAP has historically held in Delhi Assembly elections.

What Lies Ahead for the Resigning AAP MLAs?

The MLAs who have resigned have yet to announce their next political moves, though some analysts speculate that they might contest the elections as independents or seek alliances with rival parties. Their resignations at this critical juncture could indicate the beginning of a broader realignment within Delhi’s political landscape, particularly if more AAP members follow suit.

As the Delhi election crisis unfolds, the focus will be on how AAP’s leadership handles this internal revolt and whether it can reassure its voter base that it remains committed to its original vision. With the elections only days away, Kejriwal faces one of his biggest political challenges yet.

The question remains—can AAP recover from this crisis in time, or will this internal strife cost them dearly at the polls?