Former Delhi Minister and AAP leader Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP on Monday, a day after he resigned from AAP citing recent controversies facing the party and unfulfilled promises made to people.
Gahlot joined the party in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other BJP leaders in Delhi.
Though there were speculations rife about the former minister's political switch, the BJP or the AAP had not confirmed anything about Gahlot's move until the event.
Gahlot, the MLA from Najafgarh and once a close aide of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, put in his papers on Sunday, citing that he has lost trust in the party which is prioritising personal ambitions over commitment to people.
The BJP had already shown interest in welcoming him after Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva said Gahlot's resignation reflected his intention to not be a part of the 'lootera' gangs. He added that the BJP was appreciating Gahlot's actions, calling it "courageous".
Kejriwal too reacted to speculations about Gahlot's impending move to join BJP, stating that he is free to make his own decisions. "He is free; he can go wherever he wants," he told reporters.
The AAP had lashed out at him on Sunday, stating Gahlot left the party as he was being questioned and raided by ED and Income Tax for months.
"He did not have a choice. But this makes it clear that the BJP has lost the Delhi election. They have no issue, they are fighting based on ED, CBI and Income Tax and we are fighting on people's issues," the party said.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Raghuvinder Shokeen will become the new minister of the Delhi cabinet. Raghuvinder Shokeen is an MLA from Nangloi Jat and replaces Kailash Gahlot.