Amid AAP-Congress alliance talks in Haryana, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a massive setback in the national capital as its sitting MLA and former minister Rajendra Pal Gautam joined the Congress on Friday (September 6). Delhi will go to Assembly Elections next year and the discussion on the alliance between the two parties is expected to be held after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal walks out of jail, Manish Sisodia earlier said.
"I am resigning from all positions and membership of the Aam Aadmi Party to further advance the struggle for social justice and ensure the participation and representation of the Bahujan community in all sectors," Gautam posted on X.
What did Rajendra Pal Gautam say after joining Congress?
After joining the Congress, Gautam said that he was "touched" by Rahul Gandhi's "mohabbat ki dukaan" slogan and added that Congress is talking about "caste census" and "saving the Constitution".
"Social justice, caste census and representation as per population - this is what Rahul Gandhi is speaking about. He is talking about opening shops of love in the market of hatred. He is talking about saving the Constitution and caste census...It has been 43 years since I have been fighting the fight of Phule, Ambedkar, Periyar and Kanshi Ram. If AAP is not ready to work for it and Congress is working for it, why should I not join them? So, I decided to join them," he said.
"Unfortunately, we can see a rise in religious and caste frenzy in the last 10 years. Riots are breaking out and Dalits, backwards and minorities are being oppressed. At such a time, Rahul Gandhi gave a slogan during Bharat Jodo Yatra - Main nafrat ke baazar mein mohabbat ki dukaan kholne aaya hoon. That slogan touched my heart. He said that Constitution has to be saved and taking forward social justice in the country, every section should get their representation as per their population...My struggle has always been that everyone should get their representation and honour. He (Arvind Kejriwal) gave me the opportunity and I became an MLA twice. I express gratitude to him for this but my fight is somewhere else - on the issue of social justice, on caste-based census, on representation, AAP maintains silence on these issues...It hurt me..." the former AAP leader added.
Who is Rajendra Pal Gautam?
Rajendra Pal Gautam, AAP MLA from Seemapuri, has been elected twice and has previously served as a minister in the Delhi government. He held portfolios including SC-ST, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development. However, controversy erupted after he made objectionable remarks about Hindu deities, which led to widespread backlash. As a result, Arvind Kejriwal removed him from his ministerial position, causing Gautam to become disgruntled with the party.
After Gautam’s removal, Rajkumar Anand was appointed in his place as a minister, but both leaders have since parted ways with AAP.
Significance of Seemapuri seat for Kejriwal
Seemapuri holds historical significance for Arvind Kejriwal, as it was in this region that he started his social work by forming an NGO and, alongside his late colleague Santosh Kohli, led protests related to electricity, even going on a 15-day hunger strike.
When AAP contested its first Delhi Assembly election, Dharmendra Kohli, brother of Santosh Kohli, was given the ticket for Seemapuri. However, Rajendra Pal Gautam has won the seat twice since then.
Following Kejriwal’s recent arrest, three key leaders—MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, Minister Rajkumar Anand, and former Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam (who joined Congress today)—have left the party.
(With inputs from Ila)
