With Delhi Assembly elections set for next year, political defections have begun to shape the landscape. Former Congress MLA Sumesh Shokeen officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday, November 18, in the presence of party chief and Chief Miniter Arvind Kejriwal, who personally welcomed him into the fold.
During the induction, Shokeen praised AAP’s developmental work in rural areas, stating, “Arvind Kejriwal's party has worked extensively to connect rural areas with the mainstream. Witnessing these efforts inspired me to join AAP.” He also criticised former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's 15-year tenure, claiming she was unaware that farming occurred in Delhi.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed his appreciation for Shokeen's decision, stating, “Sumesh Shokeen, a former Congress MLA from rural Delhi, is a significant leader and a valuable addition to our party. I warmly welcome him.”
When asked about senior AAP leader Kailash Gahlot's resignation and rumours of him joining the BJP, Kejriwal responded, “He is free to make his decisions and can go wherever he wishes.”
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Criticising Sheila Dikshit's administration, Kejriwal recounted an incident where she reportedly dismissed the existence of farming in Delhi, saying, “When crops were damaged by hailstorms, Sheila Dikshit once remarked, ‘So, farming happens in Delhi too?’ She was unaware that farmers live here.”
Sumesh Shokeen Joins AAP
Kejriwal highlighted AAP’s initiatives, including financial assistance to farmers for crop damage and ongoing development in villages. “We have supported farmers during tough times and are committed to advancing rural areas,” he stated.