Big Blow to AAP in Haryana as Senior Leaders Resign

In a significant setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana, senior leader Nirmal Singh and his daughter Chitra Sarwara, the State Vice President of AAP Haryana unit, have submitted their resignations on Thursday. Speculations are rife that both might join the Congress party.

Nirmal Singh had been a four-time Congress MLA from the Naggal constituency in Ambala district, serving in various ministerial roles in Haryana. Following delimitation, he contested from Ambala City seat but faced defeat in 2019. After being denied a Congress ticket, both Nirmal Singh and Chitra contested the elections as independent candidates and later joined AAP.

In a surprising move, Chief Minister Manohar Lal has excluded Engineer-in-Chief of Public Health Engineering Department Ashim Khanna and Chief Engineer Rajeev Batish from the State Level Direction Committee for their failure to complete road and street repairs as instructed. Both officers have been placed on compulsory leave for five days.

Despite the recent resignations and internal challenges, AAP's momentum in Haryana had been notable with the ongoing "Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra," initiated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal, gaining widespread support. However, the departure of senior leaders raises questions about the party's stability in the state.

Nirmal Singh, known for his political influence in Ambala, had formed the Haryana Democratic Front after leaving Congress, and in April 2022, he and Chitra Sarwara joined AAP. Their recent exit from AAP hints at the dynamic nature of Haryana's political landscape, and their potential shift to Congress could reshape the political equations in the state.