In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana, senior party leader and election campaign committee chairman Ashok Tanwar, 47, tendered his resignation on Thursday. Citing the “current political scenario” and expressing concerns over Arvind Kejriwal’s alignment with the Indian National Congress, Tanwar is expected to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the near future.
Tanwar’s departure comes at a critical juncture for AAP, which has been grappling with internal challenges in Haryana ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and subsequent assembly polls scheduled for October. The resignation letter addressed to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal stated, “In view of the current political scenario and your alignment with the Indian National Congress, my ethics won’t allow me to continue as Chairman, Election Campaign Committee, Aam Aadmi Party, Haryana. Therefore, kindly accept my resignation from primary membership and all other responsibilities of the Aam Aadmi Party.”
A dedicated political activist since his student days, Tanwar emphasized his commitment to the country and its people, pledging to continue working for the betterment of Haryana and the nation. Notably, Tanwar had previously bid farewell to the Congress in 2019 following a rift with Bhupender Singh Hooda. After a brief stint with the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC), he joined AAP in April 2022.
The departure of Tanwar follows the resignation of National Joint Secretary and former cabinet minister Nirmal Singh and his daughter Chitra Sarwara, who left AAP on December 28 and subsequently joined the Congress on January 5. The resignations highlight a series of setbacks for AAP in Haryana, as the party faces challenges in establishing its presence in the state.
Nirmal Singh, known for his close association with Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is expected to contest from Ambala, while his daughter Chitra Sarwara is likely to contest from Ambala Cantt. These developments underscore the evolving political landscape in Haryana, as key figures realign their loyalties and positions ahead of the crucial elections.