In a huge setback for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi Minister and senior leader Kailash Gahlot has resigned from primary membership of the party. Gahlot was the transport minister in the Atishi-led AAP Government.
Gahlot said he informed AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal about his decision to quit the party via a letter, which he uploaded on his X handle. His letter read: "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."
— Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) November 17, 2024
The senior leader alleged AAP faced "grave challenges from within" and "political ambitions have overtaken the commitment towards the people". He cited the current polluted state of Yamuna in his letter, accusing the party of doing nothing to clean it despite promising to do so.
The letter also accused the party of fighting for its political agenda which "severely crippled the government's ability to provide even basic services to the people."
Gahlot added that it was "now obvious that the real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends the majority of its time fighting with the Centre." "I find myself left with no option but to step away from AAP and hence I resign from primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party," he added.
Official sources said the resignation was accepted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. AAP leaders said Gahlot was facing ED and CBI cases and he had no option left but to join the BJP. The party leaders also called the resignation a "dirty political conspiracy" of the BJP and it wants to win the Delhi Assembly polls by misusing the ED and CBI, they charged.
However, Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva said Gahlot's resignation has shown the mirror to Arvind Kejriwal. "He said he does not want to be a part of Arvind Kejriwal and his 'lootera' gang. Kailash Gahlot has taken a very courageous step and we appreciate this," Sachdeva added.
