Delhi Assembly Polls 2025: Naresh Yadav Opts Out, AAP Announces Mahender Chaudhry As Candidate

Naresh Yadav, sitting AAP's MLA and candidate from Mehrauli, announced on Friday that he will not contest in the upcoming 2025 Delhi assembly election.

He stated he would only contest if acquitted in a 2016 desecration case. Yadav announced his decision after meeting AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

The current Delhi assembly's term will end on February 23, with elections expected in February. However, the Election Commission of India has not yet disclosed the exact dates. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already declared candidates for all 70 assembly seats.

Naresh Yadav's Decision

Yadav shared on X, "… today, after meeting Arvind ji, I told him that till the court clears my case, I will not be able to do anything for the party. I will not contest elections until I am honourably acquitted. I am completely innocent, and the allegations levelled against me are politically motivated and false. That is why I have requested them to free me from contesting elections. I will continue to serve the people of Mehrauli and work like a common worker. I will try my best to make Kejriwal the CM again. Jai Hind. Long live Mother India."

Who Will Replace Naresh Yadav?

Following Yadav's withdrawal, AAP named Mahender Chaudhry as their candidate for Mehrauli. Chaudhry is the husband of Rekha Mahender Chaudhary, a sitting councillor in Mehrauli. In 2020, he ran as a Congress candidate but was unsuccessful before joining AAP in 2022.

The Desecration Case

The desecration incident occurred on June 24, 2016, when torn Quran pages were found on a road in Malerkotla. This sparked violence and vehicle burnings by an enraged crowd. Four individuals were arrested, including Yadav.

AAP remains committed to its electoral strategy despite these developments. The party aims to secure another term under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership while addressing internal challenges like Yadav's legal issues.

As Delhi prepares for upcoming elections, political dynamics continue to evolve with candidate changes and legal matters influencing campaign strategies.