Former Cong MLA Shokeen joins AAP

Former Congress MLA Sumesh Shokeen joined the AAP in the presence of party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday.

Vowing to transform rural Delhi, Shokeen highlighted that under the AAP government, rural Delhi has seen equitable development with the establishment of sewage treatment plants, roads, schools, mohalla clinics and stadiums.

Kejriwal, inducting Shokeen into the party, said, “Shokeen is a prominent leader from Delhi’s rural areas. Before our government came to power, rural Delhi was completely neglected. Today, our development efforts have transformed rural Delhi into an integral part of the city’s growth story.”

Kejriwal recalled an incident before the 2013 elections when hailstorms damaged crops in Delhi. “A journalist asked then CM Sheila Dikshit about the damage. Her response was, ‘Oh, does farming happen in Delhi too?’ The Chief Minister, who had been in power for 15 years, didn’t even know that there were farmers in Delhi,” Kejriwal said. He added that he personally visited the affected areas and provided Rs 20,000 per acre in compensation to the farmers.

Shokeen, on the other hand, praised the development in rural Delhi over the past 11 years under Kejriwal’s leadership. “Whether it’s road connectivity, bus services, or sewage treatment plants, the AAP has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between rural Delhi and the city. I have always been committed to serving my people, and joining AAP allows me to continue that vision. Together, we will work for the betterment of rural Delhi, my constituency, and the people of Delhi,” he said.

AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak also lauded Shokeen’s contributions, stating that Shokeen has consistently fought for the rights of rural communities. “Our government has set up numerous sewage treatment plants, provided sewer connectivity, built roads, established excellent schools, developed playgrounds and constructed large stadiums to meet the long-standing demands of rural Delhi. We’ve also set up mohalla clinics and hospitals, ensuring equitable development. Shokeen’s decision to join AAP further strengthens our mission in rural Delhi,” Pathak added.