Breakaway faction of AAP merges with BJP, boosts MCD strength
A breakaway faction of the Aam Aadmi Party, the Indraprastha Vikas Party, has merged with the BJP, increasing the BJP's strength in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The move is framed by the BJP as a step toward better development, while AAP labels it a political maneuver.
Why it matters
Shifting party allegiances in local government significantly impact policy implementation and power dynamics in Delhi's municipal administration.
The Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP), a breakaway faction of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday after all its 16 councillors joined the ruling party in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, taking their strength in the 250-member Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House to 139.
Ms. Gupta said residents of the councillors’ wards would now fully benefit from the development initiatives of Delhi’s “triple-engine government”.
The IVP emerged as a separate front in the MCD in May last year after 13 councillors, led by Mukesh Goyal and Hemchand Goyal, resigned from AAP, citing “disillusionment” with AAP’s leadership.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in