As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) family continues to grow. On Saturday, Akash Sharma, the director of ‘Apna Purvanchal’ organization, and Dimple Sharma, BJP’s Women Block President from Rajendra Nagar Ward, joined AAP along with their entire team.
Senior AAP leader and MLA Durgesh Pathak welcomed them into the party by presenting them with the party’s cap and scarf. During the event, Durgesh Pathak stated that Akash Sharma has been fighting for the rights of the Purvanchal community in Delhi-NCR and ensuring they receive justice. He added that their inclusion will further strengthen AAP.
Senior AAP leader and MLA Durgesh Pathak emphasized that strong leaders from Delhi are joining the AAP family today. Akash Sharma, who runs the ‘Apna Purvanchal’ organization in Delhi-NCR, and his entire team have decided to join AAP. Through his organization, Akash Sharma has been advocating for the rights of the Purvanchal community in Delhi-NCR and securing justice for them. Additionally, BJP’s Women Block President from Rajendra Nagar Ward, Dimple Sharma, and her entire team have also joined AAP. “I welcome both of them into the Aam Aadmi Party,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Akash Sharma stated that the Purvanchal community has been subjected to exploitation for centuries. However, when he analyzed which government truly works for the Purvanchal community and their children’s future, he found that AAP stands out as the best choice. He cited several reasons for this, including AAP’s provision of essential public services like free electricity, water, education, healthcare, and free bus travel for women. Furthermore, AAP has recently announced a Samman Rashi of ₹2,100 for women. “We were once BJP supporters, but after witnessing AAP’s work, we have distanced ourselves from BJP,” he said.
Akash Sharma criticized the BJP for consistently deceiving the Purvanchal community. He pointed out that before elections, BJP organized a ‘Purvanchal Samman March,’ which raised hopes that the community would receive their due rights. However, BJP ultimately allocated only three seats to Purvanchal candidates across Delhi. “BJP views Purvanchal residents merely as laborers. This is why Purvanchal residents no longer trust BJP. Today, I, along with my entire team, am joining AAP, and I will work with full dedication to ensure justice, rights, and security for the Purvanchal community,” he declared.
Akash Sharma also highlighted AAP’s contributions to the Chhath festival in Delhi. “Before 2015, Delhi had only 64 Chhath Ghats. However, under AAP’s governance, nearly 1,200 large ghats have been developed, and by 2024, the total count, including small ghats, reached approximately 3,000. This allowed us to celebrate Chhath with great enthusiasm, with full support from the Delhi government in providing necessary facilities. The entire Purvanchal community stands with AAP,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dimple Sharma criticized BJP’s candidate from Rajendra Nagar, Umang Bajaj, calling him extremely lazy. “He wakes up at 2 PM, so how can he understand the problems of others?” she questioned. She further alleged that BJP does not respect women and that its leaders lack basic manners. “Everyone in BJP speaks rudely. In contrast, AAP values and respects women. The party has launched several schemes for women’s welfare, including free bus travel. I will dedicate myself completely to working for AAP,” she affirmed.