New Delhi: Delhi Minister Raj Kumar Anand has submitted his resignation from party and ministership, citing the party’s deviation from its founding principles of anti-corruption.
He cited the Delhi liquor policy and the subsequent arrests of prominent AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Following Anand’s announcement of resignation, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Anand’s resignation was pressurized to quit by the BJP, to this claim, Anand did not address in his statement.
“I joined AAP because of its strong stand against corruption. However, the party now finds itself in the middle of the corrupt practices, which is why I have decided to resign,” said Anand, who served as the social welfare, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes minister.
Expressing disappointment, Anand, who represents Patel Nagar constituency said he was unhappy what party had promised initially and it’s present state. He said “Politics may not have changed, but the politicians have.”
He becomes the first minister from Delhi government to resign directly due to the fallout from the liquor policy case and arrest of various AAP leaders.
Anand accused the AAP of neglecting the representation of Dalits in leadership roles within the party. He said he is the follower of Dr BR Ambedkar and the party has no Dalit MLA or even councilors from the party. “If I cannot serve the Dalits within the party, then there is no purpose in my continued association with the party,” he stated.
To recall, Anand’s residence was raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a customs-related money laundering case in November 2023. Allegations were regarding false declarations in imports leading to customs evasion amounting to over Rs 7 crore.
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