Social activist Tarun gets AAP ticket from Najafgarh

AAP on Friday announced the candidature of social activist Tarun Yadav from the Najafgarh Assembly seat which was earlier held by the former party member and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot who joined the BJP last month.

Gahlot had won from the seat in 2015 and 2020. Yadav joined AAP the party this week in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and MLA Durgesh Pathak.

With his candidature, the party has now announced the names of 32 candidates for the 70 assembly seats in Delhi that will go to polls scheduled for February.

The BJP is yet to announce its first list, however, it is expected the saffron party will field Gahlot from the assembly constituency.

“Tarun has been involved in social and political activities in Najafgarh for years, always stepping forward to help those in need… his wife is a two-time Independent councillor,” Sanjay Singh had said when Tarun joined AAP.

Meanwhile, AAP MLA from Nangloi Jat, Raghuvinder Shokeen, was sworn in as a Minister in the Delhi Cabinet on Friday. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, at Raj Niwas. With the induction, the Delhi Government now has six ministers in its Cabinet.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal extended his congratulations to Raghuvinder Shokeen in a post on X, “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Raghuvinder Shokeen on taking the oath as a minister.”

Chief Minister Atishi also lauded Shokeen, saying, “I am confident that, as a minister, you will serve the people of Delhi and work towards improving their lives.”

After the ceremony, Raghuvinder Shokeen expressed his gratitude to Kejriwal and Atishi for their support and encouragement. “I will fulfil my responsibilities with honesty and dedication.” he posted on X.

On November 18, the Delhi Government had submitted the proposal for his appointment, the party claimed. “However, the oath-taking was postponed, prompting AAP to hold a press conference on December 10, where the party accused the BJP of deliberately obstructing the process. AAP alleged that the BJP’s anti-Jat stance was evident in this delay. Despite the file for his appointment being sent nearly a month ago, the BJP had stalled the process until now.” the party said in a statement.