The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
In setback for AAP, MLA Ved Prakash tenders resignation, joins BJP
AHEAD OF MCD ELECTIONS
IN A major setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Ved Prakash Satish, the AAP MLA from Bawana Monday tendered his resignation from his seat to the Vidhan Sabha speaker and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If senior leaders are to be believed, a few more AAP MLAS are also planning to join BJP soon.
Prakash, who was formerly with the BJP and joined AAP during the Assembly elections, Monday hit out at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Water Minister Kapil Mishra for not listening to the MLAS. “Manish Sisodia does not take calls from MLAS. The MLAS are silent as they a want to pass time. It is easier to get through to Prime Minister Narendra Modi than Sisodia and Mishra,” he said.
Hitting out at the Kejriwal government, Ved Prakash said the party is insensitive to women safety issues. “On April 25, 2015, a five-year-old girl child was raped and murdered. I tried to fight people’s fight but police slapped 18 sections on me. I messaged Sisodia. He did not respond for two days,” said Prakash, sitting at the BJP office.
The AAP MLA, who also held the post of vice-chairman, Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board, said the ministers are indifferent to the MLAS’ problems.
“I keep my father’s picture in mobile phone to get inspiration from him and ensure that I do not indulge in any wrongdoing. Those who talk about development have been told to shut up. Tumhe zyada pata hai is what they are told,” said the former AAP MLA.
Prakash also praised Modi and Yogi Adityanath, the newly elected chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. “We have got one yogi in Modi, who does not have family and wants to serve the country, and his disciple Yogi too has come to head UP,” he said.
Prakash also alleged that he has tried to get a lot of work done in his area but had got no support from the AAP government. “I was not able to get work done despite repeated efforts. The schools are in a bad condition in Shahbad Dairy. There are 2 lakh people in Bawana’s JJ Slum, I did everything I could to provide them with water but did not get any support from the Delhi Jal Board. Only 10 per cent of our SC/ST fund has remained utilised. There are many problems, the AAP government should answer its voters,” he said.