Following the recent Lok Sabha election setbacks, dissenting voices within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership are becoming increasingly vocal. Dr. Ajay Gupta, MLA for the Amritsar Central constituency, expressed his dissatisfaction during a meeting with party workers and leaders, including Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who unsuccessfully contested the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat.
In his address, Dr. Gupta announced that he would cease his activities until the AAP leadership restored the dignity of party volunteers in government offices. He emphasized the necessity of evaluating the reasons behind the party’s electoral defeat. Reflecting on AAP’s rise to power over two years ago in the assembly elections, he noted the party’s rapid loss of credibility among the public.
“AAP came to power with the promises of change in governance. The government brutally failed on its major poll promises of eradicating corruption and drug addiction in the state,” Gupta stated. He added that these issues have only worsened over the past two years.
Gupta shared an anecdote about a businessman friend who was asked to pay a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for a government-related matter. Despite seeking intervention from an MLA, the businessman ultimately paid Rs 5 lakh.
It is also notable that MLA Kumar Vijay Pratap has been publicly criticizing the AAP leadership through his social media accounts.