New Delhi: Former BJP MLA Anil Jha on Sunday joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), marking a huge political shift, as he was welcomed by AAP’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The development came after the resignation of Delhi Minister and AAP MLA Kailash Gahlot, who cited unfulfilled promises and recent controversies within the party as his reasons for stepping down.
Jha, who has represented the Kirari Assembly constituency in North West Delhi twice as a BJP MLA, expressed his disillusionment with the party’s leadership and policies as the reason for his decision. With his strong grassroots connections, Jha’s entry into the AAP is expected to provide the party a much-needed boost in a constituency traditionally dominated by the BJP.
Jha praises Kejriwal
During his joining, Jha praised Arvind Kejriwal for his work in improving the lives of the Purvanchali community in Delhi. He said that inadequate infrastructure faced by the region’s residents, including issues with unauthorised water supply lines and faulty sewerage systems. “In 10 years under Arvind Kejriwal, drinking water reached every household,” Jha said.
Arvind Kejriwal, in turn, praised Jha’s leadership. He described him as one of the most influential figures among Delhi’s Purvanchali community. Kejriwal said that for years, both the BJP and Congress had neglected the needs of the people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who had settled in Delhi for education and employment. He said that under his leadership as Chief Minister, major development work had been initiated to improve the living conditions of these colonies.
Jha’s entry boosts AAP’s hold on Purvanchali voters
The Purvanchali vote, once largely loyal to the Congress, had shifted hugely towards AAP in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, contributing to the victory of 13 community leaders. With Jha’s induction into AAP, the party strengthens its position among this influential voter base as it prepares for next year’s elections. Kirari, a constituency with a large Purvanchali population, has previously posed a challenge for AAP, but Jha’s joining is seen as a move to consolidate AAP’s influence in this critical area.
