In a significant development ahead of the crucial civic by-elections in Delhi, Rajesh Gupta, a two-time former MLA from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday. The move is a setback for AAP, with Gupta citing disillusionment with the party's treatment of its workers and targeting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's leadership.

Gupta, who previously represented the Wazirpur constituency, joined the BJP in the presence of Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva. Sachdeva welcomed Gupta into the party by offering him a traditional party stole. The Delhi BJP chief stated that Gupta had established himself as a responsible MLA but that Kejriwal had failed to acknowledge his contributions.

During the joining, Gupta became emotional, recalling his contributions to AAP and the treatment he allegedly received in return. He even broke down in tears. Gupta criticized Kejriwal, stating that the "biggest reason" for the party's "downfall" was treating workers in a "use and throw" manner. He said that "many people want to leave" the AAP.

Gupta also highlighted a specific instance in the Ashok Vihar ward, where he claimed AAP had given a ticket to an individual who had previously been issued a notice by the party itself.

This isn't the first instance of AAP leaders joining the BJP. Earlier, Kartar Singh Tanwar, Chhatarpur MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Raaj Kumar Anand, former Delhi minister and ex-AAP Patel Nagar MLA, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The move comes at a sensitive time, with Delhi gearing up for crucial Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls. The BJP is looking to maintain its hold on the MCD, while AAP is aiming to gain ground in the civic body. The Congress party is also a key player in the MCD elections.

The timing of Gupta's departure and his accusations against Kejriwal raise questions about internal dynamics within AAP and could potentially influence voters as they head to the polls. No immediate reaction was available from AAP regarding the development.

The political landscape in Delhi continues to evolve, with parties strategizing and realigning as the MCD bypolls approach. The defection of a senior leader like Gupta to the BJP adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming elections.