Former AAP MLA Ashok Chauhan joins BJP

When asked whether the AAP allegations that he was in touch with BJP leaders were true, Chauhan said, “We went to Goa on a holiday. When we saw the media there, we came back as it would have given rise to unnecessary speculations.”

Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay denied that he was in contact with BJP leaders. He said with Chauhan in the BJP fold, it will boost the party’s chances with the Valmiki community.

“After coming to power with the support of the SC community, including the Valmikis, Arvind Kejriwal betrayed the Valmiki community. He did not solve the problems of sanitation employees working on a contract basis or provide them the benefits of reservation. He resigned after just 49 days in power. This time, Kejriwal has started his campaign with great speed. But except for one candidate, he has avoiding renominating MLAs from the Valmikis as if he doubts candidates from this community,” Upadhyay said.

Ashok Chauhan said the AAP has betrayed the Valimiki community. “Inspired by Narendra  Modiji, I chose to join the BJP,” he said.

“Delhi residents had great expectations from the AAP, but they now feel cheated. Be it Seemapuri, Trilokpuri, Gole Market, Minto Road or Mangolpuri, everywhere the workers are disappointed because they have been treated as second-class persons. This party has not given due recognition to the Valmiki community in the decision-making process. A few people are running the AAP. Things were not what I expected to be. We have seen how Modiji has changed the country and we want to contribute,” Chauhan said.

A senior AAP leader said Chauhan had moved to the BJP after it was conveyed to him three weeks ago that he would not be renominated from the seat. “He was told categorically that he would not be given a ticket. So, he chose to leave the party. It is perhaps a good thing that those who were in the AAP only for MLA seats are leaving. We had a serious disciplinary complaint against him from his constituency, which will be revealed later.”

Former DPCC secretary Rahul Rajpal too joined  the BJP on Friday. “ I am deeply inspired by Modiji. The Congress is not what I thought it to be,” Rahul said