Just a day before the municipal corporation bypolls in Delhi, senior leader and two-time MLA Rajesh Gupta made a dramatic exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). On Saturday, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sparking fresh turbulence in Delhi politics. The switch surprised many, coming at a crucial electoral moment when party unity matters most.
Why Rajesh Gupta says he left AAP?
Gupta accused AAP of abandoning its grassroots workers. He said, “They don’t care about the people now who left their jobs during Anna Andolan… Many people want to leave (AAP), and I think they should.” He added that he felt ignored and disrespected, even after years of loyal service. “I was at the party, but their convenor neither spoke to me nor visited me,” he lamented.
VIDEO | Delhi: Former AAP MLA leader Rajesh Gupta gets emotional during a press conference after joining the BJP, he says, “They (AAP) don’t care about the people now who left their jobs during Anna Andolan… Many people want to leave (AAP), and I think they should. It’s not… pic.twitter.com/XjSV1Nxuju
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 29, 2025
He also addressed the party leader directly: “Arvind ji, you will have to think about why people are leaving you. I always fought for you, even on television.”
Inside the BJP Welcome — What Changed Overnight
The BJP welcomed Gupta into its fold with open arms. Delhi BJP chief praised his induction and contrasted it with what he called AAP’s neglect of loyal workers. The defection gave the BJP a morale boost just before the bypoll. Such decisions as these often shift electoral dynamics.
What Gupta Revealed About AAP’s Internal Crisis
Gupta spoke emotionally about his experience, recalling how he felt mocked and overlooked by the AAP high command despite years of honesty and dedication. He expressed pain over how many founding members felt betrayed and left the party. His defection is perhaps the most high-profile exit in recent times.
He also criticized the candidate selection by AAP ahead of the bypolls. He claimed that in Ashok Vihar, the party fielded a candidate who had earlier received a notice from the party itself — something he argued showed poor decision-making and disregard for discipline.
What This Means for the MCD Bypolls and Beyond
This defection could reshape the bypoll dynamics. With a seasoned politician switching sides, the BJP may gain an advantage in vote share and local influence. Meanwhile, the AAP leadership now faces pressure to keep remaining workers motivated and quell any further exits.
Observers say such defections indicate deeper issues within the party — a growing disconnect between leadership and grassroots workers. For voters, this may reflect instability and prompt rethinking of loyalties.
How AAP Reacted — and What It Says About Party Mood
Early reactions from AAP insiders suggest surprise at Gupta’s departure. The move occurred despite no active hold on power. With senior leaders reportedly absent from the campaign and only occasional appearances by younger leaders, critics argue the party seems adrift. In this backdrop, Gupta’s exit adds fuel to concerns over internal discipline and morale.
Whether this resignation becomes a one-off event or triggers more exits remains to be seen. But for now, Gupta’s defection is a bold statement — one that may influence not just the MCD bypoll, but future political contests in Delhi.
