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13 AAP Councillors Resign, Launch Indraprastha Vikas Party

The councillors, citing stalled development and internal disputes, have reduced AAP's strength in the MCD as BJP denies involvement in alleged defections.

This can be seen as a major setback to the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit in the national capital, just months after the assembly poll drubbing.
The AAP councillors who formed Indraprastha Vikas Party. (PTI)
Image
Photo; ANI

Overview

  • Thirteen AAP councillors formally resigned on May 17, 2025, to establish the Indraprastha Vikas Party, led by senior leader Mukesh Goel.
  • The resignations bring AAP's strength in the 250-member Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) down to 100 seats, while BJP holds 117 and Congress 8.
  • The defectors cited two and a half years of stalled development, lack of funds, and internal conflicts within AAP as reasons for their departure.
  • AAP has accused the BJP of orchestrating a horse-trading operation by offering Rs 5 crore to each councillor, a claim the BJP denies.
  • The anti-defection law does not apply to municipal bodies like the MCD, allowing councillors to switch parties without legal consequences.