Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Ram Niwas Goel, the 76-year-old Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, has announced his retirement from electoral politics just months before the Delhi elections, scheduled for February. Citing age and health concerns, Goel stated his decision in a letter addressed to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.
Goel, who began his political career as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator in 1993, joined AAP and was re-elected as an MLA in 2015 after a 22-year gap. He has since served as the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly and will continue in this role until the end of the current term on February 23, 2025.
AAP Leadership Responds
Kejriwal, in a heartfelt post on X, described Goel’s decision as an emotional moment for the party. “His guidance has shown us the right direction inside and outside the House for years. Due to his increasing age and health, he recently expressed his desire to leave electoral politics… We respect his decision,” Kejriwal wrote.
Calling Goel the “guardian” of the AAP family, Kejriwal emphasized that the party would continue to rely on his experience and services.
Contributions and Legacy
A prominent figure in the trader community and a two-time AAP legislator, Goel has been an ardent supporter of Kejriwal’s leadership. He stood by the party during protests against the BJP and allegations surrounding the scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.
As Speaker, Goel is credited with opening the assembly premises and a British-era tunnel for public viewing, among other initiatives. Reflecting on his tenure, Goel expressed gratitude for the respect and support he received from the party and legislators.
“I have fulfilled my responsibilities as a lawmaker and Speaker for 10 years. You [Kejriwal] and the party have always given me great respect, for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Goel wrote in his letter, dated November 25.
