Former AAP Minister Raaj Kumar Anand Joins BJP

New Delhi, July 10

Raaj Kumar Anand, a former minister from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi. He was welcomed by BJP’s Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva and national general secretary Arun Singh.

Criticism of Arvind Kejriwal

Anand criticized AAP Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, stating that his requests for Dalit welfare were ignored. He mentioned that despite funds being allocated for Dalit welfare, they were not utilized over the past nine years.

“I am grateful to the BJP for giving me the opportunity to join the party. I am committed to working for the welfare of all, particularly the Dalit community, to which I belong,” Anand said.

Dalit Welfare Concerns

Anand expressed concerns about the Dalit community questioning the whereabouts of their welfare funds. He also mentioned that the Dalit community was ignored during the Trith Yatra Yojana.

Veena Anand Joins BJP

Veena Anand, Raaj Kumar Anand’s wife, also joined the BJP along with other leaders.

Previous Allegations and Political Moves

In April, Anand resigned from AAP and as a minister in Kejriwal’s cabinet, alleging corruption. He later joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest the Lok Sabha polls. Anand faced raids by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam.

Anand was elected to the Delhi assembly in 2020, representing the Patel Nagar constituency. He held multiple portfolios in the Kejriwal cabinet, including Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurudwara elections, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Before joining AAP, Anand was a businessman and was involved in the Anna-Hazare-led anti-corruption movement in 2011.