Kailash Gahlot Resigns from AAP; More Than a Tippler's Fall-from-Grace Story for Delhi Liquor Policy Case and 2024 Elections

What could well be the biggest news of Delhi politics is Transport Minister and Najafgarh MLA Kailash Gahlot's resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party on November 17, 2024, which also leaves everyone speculating about the reasons that may have led to such a decision and its implications on the February 2024 Assembly elections.

According to some insiders, Gahlot's resignation is due to internal party fissures, primarily that he is not satisfied with AAP's handling of the Delhi Liquor Policy case and his dwindling influence in the government. His resignation marks the second resignation from the Delhi Cabinet this year since April when Raaj Kumar Anand resigned.

The tensions within the AAP started with the March 2023 arrest of Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of AAP. Sisodia was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under charges of corruption in the Liquor Policy case. It witnessed a reassignment of portfolios within the AAP government. Portfolios like health, education, and revenue were assigned to Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, respectively. Atishi had eventually become the new Chief Minister after Arvind Kejriwal's imprisonment.

A two-time MLA and senior leader, Gahlot felt a little left out when the leadership preferred Atishi, a first time MLA for important roles. His discontent turned bitter when the Law and Justice department was wrested away from his grasp and given to Atishi which, many would say showcased a deficit of faith in his leadership. This will have likely only exacerbated his decision to quit.

Moreover, Gahlot had a close relationship with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (L-G), Vinai Kumar Saxena, which raised eyebrows in AAP circles. Notably, Gahlot was asked to hoist the national flag on Independence Day 2024, despite Atishi being delegated the responsibility by Kejriwal. This move was seen as an alignment between Gahlot and the BJP, further escalating tensions within the party.

Gahlot had expressed unhappiness in his resignation letter with the AAP government's approach to cleaning Yamuna and the controversy over the 'Sheeshmahal' renovation, two issues sharply criticized by the opposition parties. Political observers see his resignation as purely political engineering; his two-time Najafgarh MLA might join the BJP very soon and fight the 2024 Delhi Assembly elections from that very seat.

However, AAP dismissed Gahlot's exit as part of BJP's dirty politics, accusing the opposition of luring party leaders with ED-CBI pressure. Says Sanjay Singh, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP: "This is part of the "Modi washing machine" strategy where the BJP is luring disgruntled AAP leaders into its fold ahead of the elections in Delhi.".

As the shock waves of Gahlot's exit flood the political landscape, Delhi Assembly elections in 2024 are expected to be further marked with shifting alliances and heightened political tensions, with Gahlot's move raising serious questions about AAP's stability and future in the national capital.

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