AAP minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigns over corruption allegations, adds to Kejriwal's woes
PTC News Desk: Delhi's Social Welfare Minister, Raaj Kumar Anand, dealt a significant blow to both the government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as he tendered his resignation from his ministerial post and severed ties with the party.
Anand cited corruption within the party as the primary reason for his departure, exacerbating the challenges faced by AAP, particularly with its convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal already embroiled in a legal battle over an alleged liquor scam.
#WATCH | Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigns from his post as minister and also from Aam Aadmi Party pic.twitter.com/QF52GyjhiW — ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024
Expressing his disillusionment, Anand lamented the deviation of the party from its founding principles of combating corruption. "The party was established to fight corruption, but today, it finds itself entangled in corrupt practices. I cannot continue working in a government tainted by corruption, nor do I wish to remain associated with such misconduct," declared the former minister.
Anand's resignation comes against the backdrop of a tumultuous period, marked by a raid on his residence by the Enforcement Directorate in November 2023, as part of a money laundering investigation unrelated to the ongoing liquor probe. Prior to his resignation, Anand shared AAP MP Sanjay Singh's press conference on social media, underscoring his disillusionment with the party's leadership.
"I entered politics and assumed ministerial responsibilities inspired by Babasaheb Ambedkar's vision of social reform. However, I refuse to align myself with a party that neglects Dalit representation," Anand emphasized, elucidating his decision to step down.
Meanwhile, AAP's woes were compounded by Delhi Minister Atishi's allegations of BJP's attempts to dismantle the party, with claims of BJP overtures towards her. However, Anand clarified that despite his resignation, he has no intentions of joining any other political outfit.
As AAP grapples with internal dissent and external pressures, the party's future trajectory remains uncertain amidst mounting challenges and shifting political dynamics.
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- With inputs from agencies
