Delhi-In a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 15 municipal councillors in Delhi have parted ways with the party and announced the formation of a new political outfit — the Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP). The new party will be led by Hemchand Goel, with several prominent former AAP members playing key roles.
Among the breakaway leaders are Mukesh Goel, former Leader of the House in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and councillors Himani Jain, Devindra Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Ladi, Suman Anil Rana, Dinesh Bhardwaj, Runakshi Sharma, Manisha, Sahib Kumar, Rakhi Yadav, Usha Sharma, and Ashok Pandey. Notably, while 15 councillors have reportedly resigned, only 13 names were listed in the formal release, as two councillors were absent during the public announcement.
Explaining the reasons behind the split, Mukesh Goel said, “We launched the Indraprastha Vikas Party because we were unable to carry out public work over the past one or two years. The House was constantly disrupted and dysfunctional.” He also hinted that more councillors might join the IVP soon.
The rebels emphasized a breakdown in communication between the AAP leadership and councillors. In their joint resignation letter, they stated, “Despite winning the MCD elections in 2022, the top leadership of AAP failed to ensure smooth functioning of the Corporation. The lack of coordination severely hampered our ability to fulfill promises made to the public.”
Mukesh Goel, who had contested the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections on an AAP ticket but lost, is seen as a key figure in this rebellion.
This development adds to AAP’s growing internal crisis within the MCD. Just earlier this year, three AAP councillors defected to the BJP, making it the single largest party in the civic body. A similar episode occurred in September 2024, when three councillors left AAP ahead of a crucial MCD standing committee vote.
In light of continued defections, AAP withdrew from the April 25 mayoral race, effectively clearing the path for the BJP to assume control of the MCD.
The emergence of the Indraprastha Vikas Party marks a new chapter in Delhi’s civic politics and a deeper challenge to AAP’s hold over the municipal landscape.
