Chandigarh, January 18, 2024 – Ashok Tanwar, the former Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president and the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Haryana election campaign committee chairman, resigned from the AAP on Thursday.
In his resignation letter to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Tanwar cited his opposition to the AAP’s alliance with the Congress in Haryana as the reason for his resignation.
“In view of the current political scenario and your association with the Indian National Congress, my conscience does not allow me to continue as the chairman of the AAP Haryana election campaign committee,” Tanwar wrote in his letter. “Therefore, I request you to accept my resignation from the primary membership of the AAP and all other responsibilities.”
Tanwar’s resignation is a major blow to the AAP in Haryana, which is gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Tanwar is a popular leader in Haryana and his resignation could dent the AAP’s prospects in the state.
Ashok Tanwar tenders his resignation from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2024
"In view of the current political scenario and your alignment with the Indian National Congress, my ethics won't allow me to continue as Chairman, Election Campaign Committee, Aam Aadmi Party Haryana..," the letter… pic.twitter.com/9gs43UCmQK
Speculation about Ashok Tanwar joining the BJP
There is speculation that Tanwar may join the BJP after his resignation from the AAP. Tanwar has been critical of the BJP in the past, but he has also said that he is willing to work with any party that is committed to good governance.
“I am a responsible citizen of this country and I have always believed in our constitution, country, and its people,” Tanwar said in his resignation letter. “I will continue to work for the betterment of Haryana, our beloved country India, and its people.”
Ashok Tanwar's political career
Tanwar has a long and successful political career. He was the HPCC president from 2005 to 2014 and he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) from Sirsa from 2004 to 2009. He is considered to be a close associate of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Tanwar left the Congress in 2019 after he was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections. He then joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in November 2021. However, he left the TMC in April 2022 and joined the AAP.
Impact of Ashok Tanwar's resignation
Tanwar’s resignation is a major setback for the AAP in Haryana. He is a popular leader in the state and his resignation could dent the AAP’s prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
The AAP will need to find a replacement for Tanwar as the chairman of its Haryana election campaign committee. The party will also need to address the concerns that led to Tanwar’s resignation.
