AAP Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav Resigns Ahead Of Delhi Polls Citing 'Corruption' Within Party

AAP MLA from Meharuli Naresh Yadav has resigned from the party. after being denied ticket for Delhi elections.

AAP MLA from Meharuli Naresh Yadav has resigned from the party after being denied ticket for Delhi elections.

Source : X@MLA_NareshYadav

Aam Aadmi Party faced a major setback ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections after party MLA from Mehrauli, Naresh Yadav, resigned on Friday. The leader was replaced by Mahender Chaudhry as a candidate for the Delhi Assembly polls.

However, in his resignation letter, Yadav has claimed that he has quit the party since it has failed to reduce corruption and has "become entangled in the swamp of corruption itself".

"I joined the Aam Aadmi Party for honest politics, but today, honesty is nowhere to be seen. I have worked with 100% integrity in the Mehrauli Assembly for the past 10 years. The people of Mehrauli know that I have practiced politics based on honesty, good conduct, and genuine work. I have spoken to many people in Mehrauli... They advised me to leave the party because it has betrayed the people. They (AAP) once claimed they would practice honest politics, but today, they are entirely steeped in corruption," he said in the letter.

He also pointed out that some AAP leaders were still practicising politics with honesty. The former AAP leader also expressed his gratitude to the residents of Mehrauli and requested them that they continue to support him. 

Last year, Yadav had announced his decision to not contest the election unless he is acquitted in the 2016 desecration case. On June 24, 2016, arson and clashes broke out in Malerkotla in Punjab after torn pages of the Quran were found on a road. Following this, four persons, including the AAP MLA were held.

In March 2021, Yadav was acquitted by a lower court, but the complainant challenged the acquittal, which led to his conviction in 2024.

The AAP, in the Delhi Assembly elections 2025, announced sitting Mehrauli councillor Rekha Mahender Chaudhary’s husband, Mahender Chaudhry, as the party candidate from Mehrauli. Chaudhary had contested as a Congress candidate from the constituency but could not win. He later joined AAP in 2022.