Ashutosh, former leader, shares post following Delhi defeat

Former AAP Leader Ashutosh Criticizes Party’s Decline

In a scathing post on social media, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh expressed his belief that the party has been “finished” for quite some time now, and the recent election results on February 8 only confirmed this. Ashutosh, who was once a close aide of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, warned that the party may struggle to maintain its foothold in Punjab as it has lost the core values of the revolution it once stood for.

Decline of AAP

Ashutosh pointed out that the downfall of AAP began when party leaders started indulging in extravagant luxuries, such as taking chartered flights, staying in presidential suites, and building lavish accommodations for themselves. He specifically mentioned the accusations of corruption leveled against Kejriwal for renovating the Chief Minister’s residence, dubbing it as a ‘Sheesh Mahal’. These actions, according to Ashutosh, tarnished the image and credibility of the party.

Ashutosh, a veteran journalist who was part of the India Against Corruption movement, contested in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections but lost to BJP’s Harsh Vardhan. He eventually left AAP in 2018 citing personal reasons.

Criticism of AAP’s Leadership

In his social media post, Ashutosh also criticized the AAP leaders for enjoying Z+ security cover and intimidating journalists. He highlighted the party’s pre-poll allegations about water contamination in Delhi coming from Haryana, questioning the credibility of such claims.

Loss of Morality and Defeat in Delhi Elections

Ashutosh argued that AAP’s defeat in the recent Delhi elections was a result of the party losing its moral compass. He emphasized that AAP transitioned from a movement based on ethical principles to just another political entity focused on winning elections and retaining power. This shift, according to Ashutosh, led to the downfall of the party in Delhi and could potentially jeopardize its prospects in Punjab as well.

Repercussions of Delhi Election Results

After ruling Delhi for a decade, AAP faced a significant setback in the latest election, winning only 22 seats compared to BJP’s 48. The defeat of key AAP figures like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendra Jain further exacerbated the impact of the loss.

Criticism from Prashant Bhushan

Adding to the criticism, AAP’s co-founder Prashant Bhushan, who was expelled from the party, held Kejriwal accountable for the electoral defeat. Bhushan accused Kejriwal of deviating from the initial vision of AAP as a transparent and principled platform for alternative politics. He highlighted Kejriwal’s indulgence in luxury and disregard for expert policy recommendations, which, in his view, signaled the beginning of the end for AAP.

Future Challenges for AAP

As AAP grapples with internal dissent and external criticism, the party faces an uphill battle in rebuilding its credibility and regaining the trust of the public. The recent electoral setback serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical values and staying true to the core principles that define a political movement. Only time will tell if AAP can overcome these challenges and emerge stronger in the face of adversity.