New Delhi: Former Delhi minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kailash Gahlot joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, a day after resigning from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.
Gahlot formally joined the BJP at the party headquarters in the presence of senior leaders, including Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Jay Panda, Anil Baluni, and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.
A prominent Jat leader in Delhi and a two-time MLA from the Najafgarh constituency, Gahlot had been a minister in the AAP government since 2017. He held several key portfolios, including home, transport, IT, and women and child development.
In his resignation letter addressed to AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Gahlot expressed discontent with the party, stating that it had strayed from its core values. He cited unfulfilled promises and recent controversies as reasons for his departure.
Highlighting specific grievances, Gahlot pointed out that the AAP had failed to deliver on its promise to clean the Yamuna River, which he claimed was now more polluted than ever. He also referenced controversies such as the alleged misuse of funds for the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence, dubbed ‘Sheeshmahal’ by critics, saying these issues had damaged the party’s image as a representative of the common man.
Gahlot further criticized the ongoing conflict between the Delhi government and the Centre, stating that it had significantly hindered the city’s progress. He argued that constant political tussles made real development for Delhi unattainable.
The resignation was accepted immediately by Chief Minister Atishi. Gahlot’s departure is seen as a significant setback for the AAP ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February next year.
With IANS inputs