New Delhi, November 10, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypolls, veteran politician Shoaib Iqbal has resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), declaring he "will never return". The six-time MLA and former AAP leader announced his decision on Sunday, citing dissatisfaction with the party's candidate selection process for the upcoming MCD bypolls in the Chandni Mahal ward. The bypolls are scheduled for November 30.
Iqbal, a prominent figure in Delhi politics, expressed his disappointment after the AAP did not grant a ticket to his preferred candidate for the Chandni Mahal ward. Sources indicate that Iqbal felt local leaders were being ignored, particularly as the decision was made without consulting him or his son, Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, who is the current AAP MLA from Matia Mahal.
"Frustrated with their ideology, principles, and policies, I have submitted my resignation," Iqbal stated. He further added that he found his dealings with the party "unsatisfactory" and that they had "failed to serve the people of Delhi effectively".
The AAP, however, has presented a different perspective on the matter. The party clarified that Shoaib Iqbal had unilaterally declared his brother-in-law, Kashif Qureshi, as the party's candidate without consulting the party. According to AAP, a survey was conducted, and the ticket was awarded to Mudassar Usman Qureshi, a long-time party worker and co-secretary of the Delhi Youth Wing, who was deemed the most suitable candidate. The party emphasized that it avoids giving tickets to relatives, aiming to provide opportunities to ordinary workers.
AAP stated that they will give tickets to dedicated party workers and not parachute candidates from other parties. Delhi President of AAP, Saurabh Bharadwaj, said that all AAP candidates have a strong presence among the people in their respective areas and enjoy the complete trust of the public.
The MCD bypolls were triggered after 11 councillors, including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, were elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The Dwarka-B seat has been vacant since last year after BJP's Kamaljeet Sehrawat was elected as a Member of Parliament from West Delhi.
The AAP and BJP have both announced their candidates for the 12 MCD bypolls. AAP's list includes Babita Ahlawat from Shalimar Bagh B, Eeshna Gupta from Greater Kailash, Geeta Rawat from Vinod Nagar, Seema Vikas Goel from Ashok Vihar, Harsh Sharma from Chandni Chowk, and Muddasir Usman Qureshi from Chandni Mahal. The BJP is fielding Anjum Mandal from GK, Manisha Rajpal Sahrawat from Dwarka-B, and Suman Kumar Gupta from Chandni Chowk, among others.
The Congress party has also announced its list of 12 candidates for the upcoming MCD bypolls.
The last date for filing nominations is November 10, with scrutiny of papers scheduled for November 12. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is November 15.
Of the 12 vacant wards, the BJP previously held nine seats, while the AAP councillors represented the remaining three – Chandni Chowk, Dakshinpuri, and Chandni Mahal. Currently, the BJP holds 116 councillors, AAP has 98, IVP has 15, and Congress has eight, with one seat held by an Independent. Following the 2022 unification and delimitation exercise, the MCD area has been divided into 250 municipal wards.
Iqbal's departure is a setback for AAP as they prepare for the MCD bypolls. His exit highlights internal tensions within the party regarding candidate selection and decision-making processes. The upcoming bypolls will be a crucial test for all parties involved as they vie for control of the municipal wards.
