“Seeing AAP’s strong stance against corruption initially drew me in, but now, with the party entangled in corrupt practices, I’ve made the decision to resign,” stated Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand.
New Delhi: Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand has stepped down from his position in both the government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), citing the party’s shift from being an anti-corruption force to one allegedly embroiled in corrupt activities. He specifically referenced the Delhi liquor policy case and the recent arrests of key leaders, including AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and his former deputy, Manish Sisodia.
Following Mr. Anand’s significant announcement, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed in a press conference that Mr. Anand was coerced into resigning by the BJP.
But unlike Mr. Bharadwaj, Mr. Anand made no mention of or hint at being under pressure.
“I joined AAP after being inspired by its strong stance against corruption. However, seeing the party embroiled in corrupt practices now, I have made the decision to resign,” stated Mr. Anand, who served as the social welfare, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes minister.
I’ve come to share my sorrows because I’m feeling really depressed today. When Arvind Kejriwal declared that “if politics changes, the country will change,” I entered the political sphere. Mr. Anand stated, “Politics has not changed, but politicians have. (Rajniti toh nahi badli, lekin rajneta badal gaye.)”
Mr. Anand, the MLA representing Patel Nagar, becomes the first Delhi government minister to resign both from his position and the AAP directly due to the fallout from Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest and the entire liquor policy case.
Additionally, he accused the AAP of using discriminatory hiring practices while filling party leadership posts.
“There is no Dalit MLA or councilor in the Aam Aadmi Party. Dalit leaders are not even appointed to leadership positions. I follow the principles of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. If I cannot work for Dalits, then there is no point in being in the party,” Mr. Anand told reporters in Delhi.
With the Chief Minister in jail, it remains uncertain how the vacant portfolio will be allocated.
Delhi Minister Atishi is among the prominent AAP leaders continuing Mr. Kejriwal’s fight while he is incarcerated. Last week, Atishi accused the BJP of employing pressure tactics to coerce AAP leaders into joining their party, a statement that resulted in a defamation notice being issued against her.
“Through a very close person, the BJP has made contact with me. They claim that if I join the BJP, my political career will be saved. Atishi had stated, “They’ve threatened to arrest me within a month if I don’t switch over,” to which the Delhi BJP unit responded with a defamation notice.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court dismissed Mr. Kejriwal’s challenge to his arrest on March 21 in the liquor policy case.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused Mr. Kejriwal and two of his colleagues, including Mr. Sisodia, of allegedly receiving kickbacks during the formulation of the now-defunct liquor policy.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that the policy offered an unreasonably high-profit margin of nearly 185% for retailers and 12% for wholesalers. According to the ED, the AAP was to recover six percent of the wholesaler’s margin as bribes, totaling over ₹600 crore. These funds were purportedly utilized as election expenses.
Mr. Kejriwal and the AAP have consistently refuted all allegations, asserting that they are part of a political conspiracy against the Chief Minister, who holds a prominent position within the opposition bloc in India.
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