Sat May 17 20:06:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: AAP Suffers Major Setback as 15 Councillors Defect, Forming New Party in Delhi**

**New Delhi, May 18, 2025** – In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 15 of its councillors in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have resigned and announced the formation of a new political entity, the Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP). This development follows AAP’s recent loss in the mayoral elections and the MCD majority, and arrives just weeks before crucial elections for the MCD’s Standing Committee and ward committee positions.

Former Leader of the House, Mukesh Goel, who unsuccessfully contested an Assembly election on an AAP ticket, will head the IVP. Goel cited “centralised decision-making” within AAP as a key reason for the departure.

AAP has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of poaching its councillors, alleging offers of ₹5 crore to each member. The BJP has not responded to these allegations. Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, however, stated the defections demonstrated corruption within AAP.

The defecting councillors stated in a statement that the AAP leadership could not smoothly run the municipal corporation and did not keep promises to the public. IVP members include councilors from Bankner, Vasant Vihar, Sadar Bazar, Vikaspuri, and Hastsal wards. Goel denied being a BJP operation, stating the IVP disagrees with both parties.

The defections create further uncertainty in the MCD as AAP seeks to maintain influence in key committees.

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