15 Councillors Resign From AAP, Announces To Form New Party In Delhi
In a major political jolt to AAP, 15 councillors resigned on Saturday and launched a new party—Indraprastha Vikas Party—led by former Leader of the House Mukesh Goel.
Thirteen municipal councillors of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including senior leader Mukesh Goel, have quit the party, announcing the formation of a new political outfit named the Indraprastha Vikas Party. The development marks a significant internal rebellion amid AAP’s ongoing leadership crisis in the national capital.
Goel, a veteran municipal politician who previously served as AAP’s Leader of the House in the MCD, lost the recent Delhi Assembly election from Adarsh Nagar on an AAP ticket.
“We are forming a party that will prioritize local governance and urban development. The voice of councillors was being sidelined within AAP,” Goel said at a press conference announcing the breakaway group.
The move comes just days after the BJP regained control of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), capitalizing on AAP’s decision to boycott the civic elections. Following a string of defeats, including the 2025 Assembly elections, the AAP has seen growing dissatisfaction among its ranks.
All 13 councillors who defected were once with the Congress but had joined AAP ahead of the last municipal elections. Their exit weakens AAP’s grassroots presence further, particularly in Delhi’s civic administration.
In March, the party initiated a major reshuffle to contain the growing unrest. Former cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was appointed president of the Delhi unit. Meanwhile, Manish Sisodia was made in-charge of Punjab, and other senior leaders were delegated responsibilities in Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.
Despite these changes, party insiders say the dissatisfaction—particularly at the municipal level—remains high, with councillors feeling “ignored” and “undermined” in key decisions.
Mukesh Goel has served as a councillor for 25 years and was known for his proximity to grassroots voters. He switched from the Congress to AAP in 2021, bringing with him a loyal base of supporters in north and central Delhi.
According to Goel, the decision to break away was not taken lightly. “We gave the party a chance, but it’s now clear the leadership is disconnected from the people,” he said.
