Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot quit AAP today, blaming 'grave challenges' ahead of Delhi polls
In a major political fallout just a few months ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, senior leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Kailash Gahlot stepped down from the party, expressing "serious challenges" to AAP. Gahlot, who had important portfolios such as Home, Transport, IT, and Women & Child Development in the Delhi government, is likely to shift to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-a significant blow to AAP.
In his resignation letter to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Kailash Gahlot expressed disappointment over internal party struggles and breaking promises made to the people of Delhi. "Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people," Gahlot wrote, adding that the party had failed to deliver on crucial promises, such as cleaning the Yamuna River. "The Yamuna is perhaps even more polluted than ever before," he added.
Gahlot slammed AAP for getting bogged down by controversies, such as the infamous "Sheeshmahal" debate that surrounds Kejriwal's official residence renovation. The controversies, he said, are damaging the party's image and undermining its commitment to serving the common people. "It is now obvious that true progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends most of its time fighting with the Centre," Gahlot lamented.
His resignation points towards growing disillusionment within the party as internal conflicts overshadow its governance. Gahlot said he joined politics with an objective to serve the citizens of Delhi alone but could not continue in AAP under the leadership of its top brass. "I want to continue serving the people of Delhi. Which is why I have no option but to resign from AAP," he said.
BJP was quick to react to this; party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla commented, "Gahlot's resignation has exposed AAP's turn from an amir platform of aam admi to an elite Khaas Aadmi Party." Poonawalla said Gahlot's move came as an evident indication of how AAP had failed to live up to its promises.
And just a few months away from the Delhi Assembly elections, Gahlot's move is going to cause ripples in AAP's prospects. The party will have to answer whether it can win the politics of Delhi with Gahlot gone. Renewed vigor in the BJP, AAP has always eyed Delhi as the national capital. Gahlot's shift is seen as growing disaffection within AAP's leadership.
