In a major jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) just weeks before the crucial Delhi Municipal Corporation by-elections, veteran leader and six-time MLA from Matia Mahal, Shoaib Iqbal, has announced his resignation from the party.

In a video message released on Monday, Iqbal expressed deep dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning and direction, stating, “I am fed up with the ideology and policies of the Aam Aadmi Party. The party has failed to deliver on the promises it made to the people.”

Iqbal, who has represented the Matia Mahal constituency since 1993 under various political banners — including Janata Dal, JD(U), LJP, JD(S), and Congress — joined AAP ahead of the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections and was elected for the 2020–25 term. His exit marks another setback for the party already facing criticism after its recent electoral losses.

The timing of Iqbal’s resignation is particularly significant as it comes amid preparations for the Delhi MCD bypolls scheduled for November 30. The bypolls are being viewed as a litmus test for AAP’s standing in the capital following its shrinking influence in local governance.

On Sunday, AAP unveiled its list of candidates for the 12 vacant wards. The list includes Ram Swaroop Kanojia (Dakshin Puri), Anuj Sharma (Sangam Vihar A), Eeshna Gupta (Greater Kailash), Geeta Rawat (Vinod Nagar), Babita Ahlawat (Shalimar Bagh B), Seema Vikas Goel (Ashok Vihar), Harsh Sharma (Chandni Chowk), Muddasir Usman Qureshi (Chandni Mahal), Rajbala Sehrawat (Dwarka B), Anil Lakra (Mundka), Rajan Arora (Naraina), and Keshav Chauhan (Dichao Kalan).

The BJP, which held nine of these 12 wards previously, and the Congress, have also released their candidate lists, setting the stage for an intense political battle in the capital.

The last date for filing nominations is November 10, followed by scrutiny on November 12 and the withdrawal deadline on November 15.