'Can't be associated with corruption...': Anand quits Delhi cabinet, AAP
What's the story
Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Raaj Kumar Anand, has announced his resignation from both his cabinet position and party role. "The party was born to fight corruption...today the party itself is mirred in corruption. I can't work in this government...I don't want my name to be associated with this corruption," the minister said while stepping down. This spells trouble for the party led by Arvind Kejriwal—who is currently in judicial remand in the excise policy "scam."
Context
Why does this story matter?
The AAP is embroiled in controvery after several of its senior leaders, including Delhi CM Kejriwal, are in jail in corruption cases. Last year former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy. Singh was recently released on bail in the case. Another party leader, Satyendar Jain, is also in jail in a disproportionate assets case.
Statement
Anand's residence raided by ED in November 2023
"Arvind Kejriwal once said at Ramlila Maidan, Jantar Mantar 'the country will change if the politics changes'. Today the politics didn't change but the politician changed," Anand said while announcing his resignation. To recall, Anand's residence was raided in November 2023 in a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate. The case, however, was not connected to the excise policy case. Notably, hours before his resignation, Anand had shared Singh's press conference on his social media.
Twitter Post
Watch: Anand's press conference here
#WATCH | Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigns from his post as minister and also from Aam Aadmi Party pic.twitter.com/QF52GyjhiW
— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024
After resignation
Not joining any other party, says Anand
The resignation comes after Delhi Minister Atishi's allegations that the BJP is planning to cripple the AAP. She even accused the saffron party of approaching her with an offer to join the party. The BJP responded to this with a legal notice, accusing Atishi of spreading misinformation. Anand, however, has said that he will not join any other party.
AAP's statement
Anand got scared, says Bharadwaj
Reacting to his resignation, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said Anand got "scared," which is why he resigned from the AAP. "Not everyone can be Sanjay Singh," he added. Bharadwaj made the remarks at a press conference called minutes after Anand announced his resignation.