Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday, citing recent controversies and unfulfilled promises as his reasons for stepping down immediately. This has sparked speculation about his potential move to BJP ahead of upcoming Delhi assembly polls.
In his letter to AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Gahlot claimed the party had drifted from its core values. "Today, AAP faces grave challenges... to the values that brought us together to (the party),” he wrote.
Gahlot, the AAP's prominent Jat leader and twice elected MLA from Najafgarh, had been serving as a minister since 2017, overseeing important portfolios such as home, transport, IT, and women and child development in the Delhi government. CM Atishi has accepted his resignation.
Reacting to Gahlot’s resignation, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, “Kailash Gahlot's resignation is a part of BJP's dirty politics and conspiracy. BJP govt conducted ED raids on him. Income Tax raids were conducted at his residence for several days. BJP put an allegation of ₹112 crores on him. Pressure was created on him due to which Kailash Gahlot had to take this step. He did not have any option other than joining BJP.”
While other AAP leaders and ministers have had conflicts with the Lieutenant Governor, Gahlot has good terms with him. He has been meeting with the Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas to discuss matters related to his department. This year, the Lieutenant Governor even gave him the honor of hoisting the flag on Independence Day instead of Atishi, a gesture that was also backed by BJP leaders.
Will Ashok Gehlot Join BJP?
Members of the BJP have remained noncommittal about the potential induction of Ashok Gehlot, with Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva praising the former AAP leader for taking "a very courageous step." However, reports citing the politician have indicated that the saffron party currently has no formal proposal to offer Gehlot.
"Gahlot stepped down raising the same issues for which the BJP was protesting and fighting against Kejriwal and AAP. His resignation proves that even the AAP leaders do not consider Kejriwal an honest politician," Sachdeva said.