Delhi’s former Transport Minister, Kailash Gahlot, has resigned as one of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s senior-most leaders to join rivals Bharatiya Janata Party. The move comes less than three months before an Assembly election expected to be a head-to-head between his former and current political masters.
Gahlot was widely seen as one of Mr. Kejriwal’s closest aides, particularly when the ex-Chief Minister was in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in the alleged liquor policy scam. When Mr. Kejriwal stepped down, Gahlot was on the shortlist to replace the party boss. However, his relationship with the party seemed to unravel over the past few months, with his sacking as Law Minister seen as triggering the end of his relationship with the party.
The headline-grabbing element in the stand-off was the rift over who would unfurl the national flag during the official Independence Day celebration in Delhi. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena intervened and handed the job to Gahlot, who complied without any conciliatory words to Mr. Kejriwal or Atishi. In his resignation letter, Gahlot has attributed his decision to the “dwindling credibility” of AAP on the issue of cleaning of Yamuna and ‘Sheeshmahal’ – a pejorative term used by the BJP for the chief minister’s renovated residence.
Mr. Kejriwal has maintained silence on the resignation. At a press conference to welcome former BJP MLA Anil Jha to AAP, Mr. Kejriwal was asked about Mr. Gehlot’s sudden resignation, but the former Chief Minister refused to respond, passing the mic to senior party leader Durgesh Pathak.
In conclusion, Kailash Gahlot’s resignation comes as a turning point for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, as he has been a part of the party since the time of Anna Hazare and has worked for Delhi throughout his career.
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Source: NDTV
