In a significant political development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Chhatarpur constituency Kartar Singh Tanwar and former Delhi Minister Raj Kumar Anand joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. The move marks a major setback for the AAP, particularly in its efforts to maintain a strong foothold in Delhi.

Raj Kumar Anand, a prominent figure in the Dalit community, served as a minister in the Delhi government under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. His departure from AAP in April earlier this year was driven by allegations of corruption following the arrest of the party's convener in the excise case. Anand voiced his dissatisfaction with the party's treatment of Dalit MLAs and councillors, asserting that they were not given proper respect within the party structure.

"The Dalit community and their representatives in the AAP have not been accorded the respect they deserve," Anand remarked. His discontent led to his resignation from the AAP and his subsequent decision to join the BJP. Anand's wife, Veena Anand, who is also a former legislator, joined the BJP alongside him.

Kartar Singh Tanwar, the sitting MLA from Chhatarpur, also joined the BJP, reinforcing the party's presence in Delhi. Tanwar's switch is seen as a strategic move that could influence the political dynamics in the region.

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Anand and Tanwar were welcomed into the BJP by Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva and national general secretary Arun Singh. "I am grateful to the BJP for providing this opportunity. My commitment is to work for the welfare of all, especially the Dalit community," Anand stated during the joining ceremony.

Tanwar echoed similar sentiments, expressing his readiness to contribute to the BJP's mission. "Joining the BJP is a step towards ensuring better governance and upliftment of our communities," he said.

Raj Kumar Anand was elected to the Delhi Assembly from the Patel Nagar constituency in 2020 and held multiple portfolios, including Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurudwara Elections, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Before his tenure in AAP, Anand was a businessman and was notably involved in the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement in 2011.