Renowned UPSC lecturer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Avadh Ojha has announced his retirement from politics. The announcement comes exactly one year after he joined the party. While Ojha exited with a message of gratitude, senior AAP leader Somnath Bharti expressed strong displeasure, criticising the decision as premature.
Ojha’s Farewell Message
In a social media post addressing the party leadership, Ojha thanked Arvind Kejriwal and the party cadre, terming his exit a personal choice.
He said, "Respected Arvind ji, Manish ji, Sanjay ji, all AAP office-bearers, workers and leaders, a heartfelt thank you to all of you. I will remain indebted for the love and respect you have given me. Retiring from politics is my personal decision. Arvind ji, you are a very great leader. Jai Hind."
Somnath Bharti’s Sharp Rebuttal
Reacting to the announcement on X, AAP leader Somnath Bharti criticised Ojha for treating politics lightly. Bharti expressed that a man of Ojha’s stature should have weighed his options more carefully before joining.
Key points raised by Somnath Bharti:
Commitment: "Avadh ji, I have personal regard for you, but politics is not a short-term project. A person of your maturity and prominence should have weighed the options before stepping into politics, and that too with the Aam Aadmi Party."
The Ticket Controversy: Bharti highlighted that the party bypassed many dedicated workers who had toiled from the beginning to give Ojha the ticket for the Patparganj seat. The leadership trusted that he would work with the party regardless of the election results.
Ideological Stance: Bharti asserted that AAP is the future of India because it focuses on education, healthcare, and basic needs—issues relevant to 90 per cent of the population—unlike the BJP or Congress.
"You have not done well, Ojha ji." said, AAP Leader Somnath Bharti.
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Background: A One-Year Stint
Avadh Ojha’s political career with AAP was brief.
Joining Date: He joined the party on December 2, 2024, in the presence of top leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.
Electoral Debut: The party fielded him from the high-profile Patparganj seat for the Delhi Assembly elections.
Result: Ojha lost the election, leading to his eventual withdrawal from the political landscape today.