GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th April. Raaj Kumar Anand’s exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the government has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, highlighting a significant rift within the party he once fervently supported. An integral figure in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s anti-corruption movement, Anand’s decision to resign stems from his disillusionment with the party’s alleged descent into corruption.
Anand’s life story is one of remarkable resilience, with humble beginnings in poverty-stricken circumstances. Raised by his maternal grandparents in Aligarh due to financial constraints, he experienced firsthand the hardships of life, working as a child laborer in a padlock factory. However, through sheer determination and hard work, he rose to prominence as a successful businessman, exemplifying the quintessential rags-to-riches narrative.
His meteoric rise is reflected in his substantial assets, valued at ₹78.9 crore as per his Delhi Assembly poll affidavit in 2020. Yet, despite his material success, Anand remained committed to his principles, actively participating in the ‘India Against Corruption’ movement in 2011 under the influence of Arvind Kejriwal.
Anand’s association with the AAP began in 2012, aligning himself with Kejriwal’s vision for transformative political change. Fielded as a candidate from the Patel Nagar reserved constituency in the 2020 Assembly polls, Anand emerged victorious, solidifying his position within the party.
However, his resignation marks a dramatic departure from his earlier allegiance. Citing the AAP’s alleged entanglement in corruption, Anand expressed his disillusionment with the party’s trajectory, signaling a shift from supporter to critic.
As he bids farewell to the AAP and relinquishes his ministerial post, Anand’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in political affiliations and the evolving dynamics within political movements.
