Alleging discrimination against Dalits, AAP MLA joins Congress

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rajendra Pal Gautam, a former Delhi Cabinet minister and prominent Dalit leader, joined the Congress on Friday.

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Was Key figure in aap govt

• Rajendra Pal Gautam was a key figure in the AAP government, holding portfolios such as social welfare, SC&ST and water
• However, his political career took a turn in 2022 when he resigned from his ministerial position after facing backlash for attending a mass conversion event where thousands converted to Buddhism.

‘Struggle is for social equality’

My fight is not for positions like MLA or MP. My struggle is for social equality and justice, which is why I have joined the Congress. When it comes to social justice, AAP often stays silent, especially on issues related to caste, class and minorities. — Rajendra Pal Gautam

He joined the Congress in the presence of senior leaders KC Venugopal, Devender Yadav, and Pawan Khera.

Known for his activism on Dalit rights, Gautam, MLA from Seemapuri, was a key figure in the AAP government, holding portfolios such as social welfare, SC&ST and water. However, his political career took a turn in 2022 when he resigned from his ministerial position after facing backlash for attending a mass conversion event where thousands converted to Buddhism. Despite apologising, Gautam resigned under pressure following accusations of “insulting Hindu Gods”.

Explaining his decision to join the Congress, Gautam said, “My fight is not for positions like MLA or MP. My struggle is for social equality and justice, which is why I have joined the Congress today.” He emphasised that his focus has always been on the rights of marginalised communities, particularly SC, ST, OBC and minorities. “When it comes to social justice, AAP often stays silent, especially on issues related to caste, class and minorities. This has deeply hurt me,” he added.

Gautam criticised the AAP government’s handling of key welfare programmes, stating, “Had Arvind Kejriwal been serious, he would have ensured reservations in the CM Fellows Programme.

Today, most programmes for SCs, STs, and OBCs are non-functional.” He also highlighted the inaccessibility of higher education for marginalised students, noting that fees in Delhi’s engineering colleges exceed Rs 10 lakh for a four-year course.

Reflecting on his time as a minister, Gautam said, “As a minister, I launched schemes like the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, and we banned manual scavenging. Yet, despite this, Dalits continue to face injustice across the country.”

He was moved by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s message of love and equality. “Rahul’s slogan, ‘Main nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan kholne aaya hoon’, has really touched my heart,” he said.

Gautam’s entry into the Congress comes at a crucial time when AAP and Congress are negotiating alliances ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, raising the stakes for both parties.

Meanwhile, the AAP said it is normal for leaders to switch sides in politics, especially when they feel they might be denied a ticket.