Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goel retires from electoral politics; AAP inducts former BJP MLA as potential successor in his seat

New Delhi: With just weeks left for Assembly polls in the capital, Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Thursday announced quitting electoral politics on a day AAP inducted a former BJP MLA into the party who could replace him in his seat.

Goel (76), who has represented the Shahdara constituency twice since 2015, cited advancing age as the reason for quitting electoral politics but promised Kejriwal that he would keep on serving AAP by all means.

Soon after Goel announced his decision by publicising his letter to Kejriwal, AAP inducted Jitender Singh Shunty, who represented the seat as a BJP nominee in 2013.

Shunty, a Padma Shri awardee and social worker Jitender Singh Shunty who heads the Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Foundation, joined the party in the presence of Kejriwal. His NGO Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal was known for cremating unclaimed bodies and performing post-cremation rites in accordance with Hindu and Sikh traditions.

Kejriwal described Goel's decision, which came a day after the conclusion of the last session of the current Delhi Assembly, as an "emotional moment", as his guidance has shown them the right direction inside and outside the House for years. Goel has been Speaker since 2015.

"Due to his increasing age and health, he had recently expressed his desire to leave electoral politics just a few days ago. We respect his decision. Goyal was, is and will always be the guardian of our family. The party will always need his experience and services in the future too," he said.

In his letter dated November 11, Goel said he discharged his responsibilities as Shahdara MLA and Speaker of the Assembly for ten years and received a lot of respect for which he was thankful to him. "Due to age, I want to separate myself from electoral politics. I want to assure you to keep on serving by all means remaining in the Aam Aadmi Party. I will try to fulfil any responsibility given by you to me," he said.

On Wednesday, Goel said in the Assembly, “As Speaker, I have fulfilled my duties impartially, giving equal importance to both the ruling party and the opposition. Despite being a Union Territory Assembly with limited powers, remarkable work has been accomplished.”

"I am deeply grateful to all members for their support in running the House successfully for five years. If anyone’s feelings were hurt during proceedings, I hope they do not take it personally, as my role was bound by rules...This is our last sitting, and after this, we all will be preparing for the upcoming elections. I wish you all the best for your future political endeavours," he added.