Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot joins BJP a day after resigning from AAP

Kailash Gahlot, the former Transport Minister of Delhi, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, just one day after resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Gahlot, who had been a prominent leader in AAP and held several key ministerial portfolios, resigned on Sunday citing internal differences and the party’s increasing focus on political ambitions at the expense of its commitments to the people of Delhi. His resignation and subsequent move to the BJP is seen as a significant development ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in February 2024.

In his resignation letter addressed to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Gahlot expressed frustration over the party’s shift from serving the common people to pursuing a political agenda. He criticized AAP’s failure to fulfill key promises, including the cleaning of the Yamuna River, which remains heavily polluted. Gahlot also pointed to controversial issues such as the "Sheeshmahal" controversy, referring to the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence, as part of the reasons for his disillusionment. He stated that such controversies had led the public to question whether AAP was still committed to its foundational principle of representing the "Aam Aadmi."

Gahlot’s resignation is seen as a major blow to AAP, particularly with the Delhi Assembly elections fast approaching. Gahlot held multiple crucial portfolios during his tenure, including Home, Administrative Reforms, Information Technology, and Women and Child Development. His role was particularly important as he had presented the Delhi Budget for 2023 after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s arrest. His departure adds to a series of high-profile exits from AAP, including that of Raaj Kumar Anand, the former Minister of Social Welfare, who joined the BJP in April 2024.

In his letter, Gahlot further elaborated on the internal issues within AAP, noting that the party had become increasingly focused on its confrontations with the central government rather than fulfilling its promises to the people of Delhi. Gahlot expressed discontent over the fact that despite his long tenure in the party, he had been overlooked for leadership roles. The promotion of Atishi to the position of Chief Minister and the redistribution of important portfolios within the cabinet reportedly contributed to his decision to resign.

After stepping down from AAP, Gahlot formally joined the BJP in the presence of senior party leaders, including Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, national general secretary Dushyant Gautam, and Delhi BJP Election in-charge Baijyant Panda. Gahlot’s decision to join the BJP is expected to impact the party’s outreach to Jat voters in Delhi, a community with which Gahlot has strong ties. He is expected to contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections from Najafgarh, his current constituency.

Born in Mitraon village in Najafgarh, Gahlot comes from a farming background and has had a long legal career representing farmer rights. He previously served as a lawyer in the Supreme Court and High Court for more than a decade. During his time with AAP, Gahlot became known for his leadership in various key sectors, including transport, revenue, and law, and his involvement in significant governance projects. His move to the BJP adds to the ongoing political realignment in Delhi as the elections draw nearer.