In a significant setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, two prominent councillors, Ravinder Solanki and Narender Girsa, have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The defection occurred on Friday, with both leaders officially inducted into the BJP by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat.

Solanki, a councillor from the Baprola ward, and Girsa, representing the Manglapuri ward, were reportedly among the founding members of AAP. Both wards fall under Sehrawat's parliamentary constituency. Speaking on the occasion, Sehrawat stated, “These councillors have not changed sides; it is Arvind Kejriwal who has changed, which forced them to leave the party.”

The defections follow a similar high-profile switch last year when former AAP minister Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP, dismissing allegations that he acted under pressure from investigative agencies. Gahlot claimed his decision was driven by personal conviction rather than coercion.

This development comes just weeks before Delhi heads to the polls on February 5 to elect members for all 70 assembly seats, with the results scheduled to be announced on February 8. The elections are expected to witness a triangular contest among AAP, BJP, and Congress.