In setback for AAP, former Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam joins Congress
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 6
In a significant political shift, former Delhi cabinet minister and AAP MLA Rajendra Pal Gautam joined the Congress on Friday. Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader and two-time MLA from Seemapuri, made the move in the presence of senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Devender Yadav and Pawan Khera.
The defection comes at a critical time when alliance talks between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, both members of the INDIA bloc, are ongoing ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. Gautam’s departure is seen as a major setback for the AAP, especially with his influence among the Bahujan Samaj community.
At a press conference, Gautam expressed his reasons for leaving the AAP, stating, "My fight is not for positions like MLA or MP, but for social justice and the representation of Bahujan Samaj in all sectors." He accused the AAP of neglecting marginalised communities, particularly SC, ST, OBC and minorities. “When it comes to social justice, the AAP often remains silent on key issues of caste, class, and minorities. This has deeply hurt me.”
Though he expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the opportunities he got within the AAP, Gautam emphasised that his mission now lies with Congress to intensify the fight for social equality.
