Kailash Gahlot Joins BJP Day After Quitting AAP Ahead of Delhi Polls

New Delhi: Former Delhi minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kailash Gehlot, who resigned from the party on Sunday (November 17), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) on Monday. Gehlot represents Najafgarh constituency in the Delhi legislative assembly. The former Delhi minister joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and other BJP leaders.

Gahlot, once a close confidant of AAP supremo and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal , resigned from the council of ministers with immediate effect in a big jolt to the party. Later, Delhi CM Atishi accepted his resignation. As per reports the portfolio assigned to Gahlot in the AAP government, which included transport, Administrative Reforms, Information & Technology, Home and Women & Child Development departments, will remain with Chief Minister Atishi until a new appointment.

Kejriwal's First Response on Gahlot’s Exit from AAP

Breaking his silence on the resignation of party leader Gahlot, Kejriwal on Monday said “He is free, he can go wherever he wants." The remarks came during a press briefing where Congress leader and former MLA Sumesh Shokeen joined the AAP.

Why Kailash Gahlot Resigned?

In his letter to Kejriwal on Sunday, the Najafgarh MLA cited the “challenges” faced by the AAP-led govt in the national capital as the reason to distance himself from the party. He further mentioned, in his letter, that the the political ambitions within the party have overshadowed its core commitment to serving the people. Voicing serious concerns, Gahlot highlighted a significant shift in the party's focus from advocating for the rights of the people to advance its own political agenda, a shift he said has hindered AAP's ability to provide basic services to the residents of Delhi.

In a letter to AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, Kailash Gahlot said, “Let me start with sincerely thanking you for having given me the honour of serving and representing the people of Delhi as an MLA and a Minister. However, at the same time, I also want to share with you that today the Aam Aadmi Party faces grave challenges. Challenges from within, to the very values that brought us together to AAP.” 

The former AAP leader in his letter also underlined the "unfulfilled promise" of cleaning the Yamuna River, as it remains polluted and expressed his concern over controversies like the 'Sheeshmahal' , which, he said, has led people to question whether AAP still upholds its commitment to being a part of the “Aam Aadmi.” 

“Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people, leaving many promises unfulfilled. Take for example the YAMUNA, which we had promised to transform into a clean river, but never got around to doing it. Now the Yamuna River is perhaps even more polluted than ever before. Apart from this, now there are many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the 'SHEESHMAHAL', which are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the AAM AADMI.” 

He further announced that his political journey began with a commitment to serve the people of Delhi, and he intends to continue that mission and also extended his best wishes to AAP leadership for their health and future, while thanking his party colleagues and well-wishers for their support during his tenure. Gahlot’s resignation comes weeks after party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal turned rebel, although she remains an MP from the party.
 

Raghuvinder Shokeen to Replace Gahlot in Delhi Cabinet 

Meanwhile, the AAP has chosen Raghuvinder Shokeen to fill the position left vacant by Kailash Gahlot following his resignation from the Delhi cabinet. Raghuvinder Shokeen is an MLA from Nangloi Jat. Meanwhile, the Delhi assembly elections are due in February next year.