Kailash Gahlot, a prominent former member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), resigned from the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, a day after he officially left AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Gahlot, who had previously served as the Delhi Transport Minister, submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, Ram Niwas Goel. In his resignation letter, Gahlot made it clear that his decision was based on his growing disillusionment with AAP, which he accused of deviating from its original moral and ethical values. He stated, “As you may be aware, I resigned as a Minister in the Delhi government (GNCTD) on November 17. On the same day, I also resigned from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party. The main reason was the fact that AAP had begun to deviate from its moral and ethical values, thereby making it difficult for me to continue.” He concluded by formally tendering his resignation from the Delhi Legislative Assembly, stating his intent to move forward with the BJP.
Gahlot’s resignation from AAP and his subsequent shift to the BJP occurred on November 17 and 18, respectively. Just days after joining the BJP, he was appointed to the Delhi Assembly Election Coordination Committee by the Delhi BJP Chief, Virendra Sachdeva, with the approval of the party’s senior leadership. This role further solidified his commitment to his new political home as the capital gears up for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, which are expected to take place early next year.
In an interview following his move, Gahlot explained his decision to part ways with AAP. He expressed that the erosion of the party’s values over time made it increasingly difficult for him to remain aligned with it. “It doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time to understand certain things. I’ve said repeatedly that we are connected to some values and principles. When I saw a dilution of those values, I mustered the courage to quit. There are several others like me who haven’t found the courage yet. I think they will continue,” Gahlot said, hinting at the possibility of other disillusioned members following his lead.
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The AAP, however, wasted no time in moving forward with its plans for the upcoming elections. On the same day as Gahlot’s resignation, the party released its first list of 11 candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls. The list includes contenders for several important constituencies such as Chhatarpur, Kirari, Vishwas Nagar, Rohtash Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Badarpur, Seelampur, Seemapuri, Ghonda, Karawal Nagar, and Matiala. These constituencies are expected to play a significant role in the elections, as AAP aims to consolidate its stronghold in Delhi, following its resounding victory in the 2020 Assembly elections, where it secured 62 out of 70 seats, leaving just eight seats for the BJP.
Gahlot’s exit from AAP and his move to the BJP is a significant development in Delhi politics, as it marks a notable defection from the ruling party. While some view his departure as a sign of internal strife within AAP, others see it as an indication of the increasing appeal of the BJP in the national capital, especially as the party gears up for a renewed campaign ahead of the upcoming elections. Gahlot’s shift, along with the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its position in Delhi, could add to the competitive dynamics of the upcoming polls.
As the political landscape in Delhi continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the upcoming assembly elections, with both AAP and BJP poised to contest vigorously for control of the capital. The resignation of a senior AAP leader like Gahlot serves as a reminder that political alignments can shift rapidly, and the outcome of the elections remains uncertain, despite AAP’s past success in Delhi.
