Synopsis
Former AAP leader Mayank Gandhi has welcomed the Delhi election results that favor the BJP. He criticized AAP's governance, accusing its leadership of misleading the public with false promises and outrageous claims. Gandhi reflects on his disillusionment with the party and the public's growing discontent.Key Takeaways
- Mayank Gandhi welcomes BJP's rise in Delhi.
- Critiques AAP for failed promises and governance.
- Reflects on personal disillusionment with AAP.
- Compares public sentiment from 2015 to current elections.
- Questions AAP's ethical standards and internal dissent.
Mumbai, Feb 8 (NationPress) Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mayank Gandhi, a founding member of the party, has expressed his approval of the recent Delhi election results, where the BJP is set to take the reins of the government. He lambasted AAP's governance and accused its leadership of misleading the public with deceptive promises and outrageous claims.
In an interview with IANS, Gandhi stated: “For an extended period, AAP has been known for its grandiose rhetoric while consistently failing to deliver concrete results. Making false accusations is embedded in their very essence. I, too, was once misled by their narrative, but I eventually recognized the truth and distanced myself from the party. Sadly, the citizens of Delhi remained ensnared in their web of deceit. They vowed to clean the Yamuna but never fulfilled that promise. They claimed they would enhance infrastructure, yet the roads remain in disrepair. Their singular political tactic has been to malign their opponents and make absurd allegations. But today, the people have seen through all this, and the facade has crumbled.”
Reflecting on his personal journey with AAP, Mayank Gandhi shared, “I fell victim to Kejriwal’s fabrications, but I opened my eyes in 2015. It took the people of Delhi a bit longer to grasp the truth, but now Kejriwal’s return to power seems impossible.”
He noted similarities between the public sentiment in 2015 and the current election, highlighting that just as voters had turned against Congress back then, they have now repudiated AAP.
“In 2015, during my campaigning, I felt the public's rage towards Congress. Recently, when I visited Delhi, I witnessed the same ire directed at AAP. That anger has now manifested in these election outcomes,” he told IANS.
Recalling a chat with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Gandhi said, “Sisodia once quipped that some people make history while others simply document it. Today, I remind him that the history I have penned has exposed the damage AAP has inflicted on the nation.”
Mayank Gandhi also raised concerns about the party’s ethical decline, citing the controversy surrounding the alleged opulent renovations of Kejriwal’s residence. “I was a founding member of AAP and defended the party on various fronts. Yet, when the controversy over the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ erupted, I was left utterly speechless. How could I justify such extravagance?” he inquired.
He charged AAP with betraying its foundational principles, asserting that the party initially emerged as an ideological alternative but has now devolved into just another political entity. “We didn’t enter politics merely as an electoral option but as a movement grounded in principles. However, after 2015, as we expanded into Punjab and began compromising our values, the ideological base eroded, and AAP became merely another political party. When it comes to deceit and corruption, AAP has now eclipsed even the most traditional political parties. Today, its true identity is laid bare,” he shared with IANS.
Addressing the alleged excise policy scandal, the reported assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at Kejriwal’s residence, and the controversies surrounding the Chief Minister's house, Gandhi stated, “These are not trivial issues that can be rationalized or ignored.”
He also labeled Kejriwal as an autocratic leader resistant to internal dissent. “Kejriwal perceives himself as unparalleled. He consistently claimed he did not want independent thinkers in the party -- only those who would unconditionally agree with him. Anyone who dared to challenge his views was marginalized or expelled. However, such leadership strategies cannot sustain a political party indefinitely. Genuine leadership involves embracing diverse perspectives,” he told IANS.
“I have spoken to numerous senior officials who have indicated to me that several significant corruption cases involving Kejriwal have been shelved. Now, those files will gradually resurface.”
Gandhi also dismissed the future of the INDIA Bloc. “The alliance was never built on a sturdy foundation. It was merely a tactical handshake for the elections. Once the elections concluded, everyone parted ways. Much like AAP, the INDIA Bloc is now finished,” he concluded.
