Delhi: Kailash Gehlot’s Switch to BJP, What Does It Mean for the Party?
Delhi: In a significant political development, Kailash Gehlot, Delhi's AAP-led government former minister, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party fold. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP's Delhi in-charge Baijayant Panda had sponsored his entry into the party; Delhi BJP President Virender Sachdeva was also present on the occasion.
The Gehlot's decision comes at a time when one day back she resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a major political shift that has caught the attention of many. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal replied it was Gehlot's personal decision and he had the complete right to join any party if he so decides. Gehlot, who has twice been an MLA from the Najafgarh constituency in Delhi, practised law for 10 years in the High Court and Supreme Court.
In his resignation letter, Gehlot criticized the AAP's approach, stating that instead of fighting for people's rights, the party was focused on a political agenda. He expressed disappointment that such a situation hindered the provision of basic services to Delhi’s citizens. He clarified that he had entered politics to serve the people of Delhi, and with no other options left, he had to part ways with the party.
It is a setback for AAP: Gehlot's resignation has come as a huge jolt to AAP, especially as he was the only clean image in the party left after a series of its ministers, including the party chief, were embroiled in charges and legal cases of corruption. His resignation right ahead of the elections has left a vacuum for AAP in the battle for clean governance.
Strategic Loss for AAP in Outer Delhi: Gehlot was a stalwart of the Jats. He was extremely popular in the assembly constituencies that are more or less flanking Haryana. His entry to BJP was a major loss for AAP in these constituencies. By population, the strongholds of Gurjar are considerable in number, but all the influential leaders of Gurjars have already shifted to BJP, and AAP will find little gain in this constituency.
By allowing Gehlot to join the BJP, it would reinforce its gains in Delhi's outer periphery areas where Gehlot was gaining popularity. That should be a long-term blow to AAP's politics, close to an election.
