Gahlot joined the BJP a day after resigning as minister and member of the Kejriwal-led AAP.
NEW DELHI: Former Delhi Transport Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Kailash Gahlot, a prominent Jat face in Delhi, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday ahead of the Assembly elections early next year. Gahlot’s induction into the BJP took place in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Delhi BJP election in-charge Baijayant Panda, BJP national general secretary Dushyant Gautam, and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. Other leaders present on the dais included BJP national media head and MP Anil Baluni, MOS Harsh Malhotra, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, and BJP national spokesperson Sardar R.P. Singh.
Gahlot joined the BJP a day after resigning as minister and member of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. Explaining his decision, he stated, “It was not an easy decision for me, as I have been associated with AAP since the Anna Hazare movement. A narrative is being constructed that I acted under pressure from the ED and CBI, which I strongly deny.” Gahlot explained that he joined AAP with hopes of bringing change but felt compelled to leave as the party had strayed from the values it once stood for. He added, “The values we fought for are being compromised, which prompted me to quit AAP and join the BJP.”
The former minister also criticized the AAP government, stating, “If a government, at the slightest provocation, spends its time fighting the Centre, it is certainly not fulfilling its responsibilities.” He claimed that thousands of party workers shared his sentiments about AAP’s deviation from its core ethics and principles. Explaining his decision to leave the AAP, Gahlot claimed that the party’s political ambitions had overshadowed its commitment to the people. He stated, “We have increasingly focused on advancing our own political agenda rather than prioritizing the rights of the people.”
In his resignation letter to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Kailash Gahlot alleged that the party had strayed from its foundational values. He wrote, “Today, AAP faces serious challenges to the values that once united us.” Highlighting the unfulfilled promises, he cited the example of the Yamuna, stating, “We had pledged to clean the river, but not only did we fail to deliver, the Yamuna is perhaps more polluted now than ever before.” Gahlot also appeared to take a veiled dig at Kejriwal, referencing controversies surrounding the so-called “Sheeshmahal.” This term has been used by BJP leaders to criticize Kejriwal for allegedly spending crores on extravagant renovations and facilities at his former official residence on 6 Flagstaff Road. He further claimed that prioritizing the party’s political agenda over governance had “severely crippled” its ability to provide even basic services to the people of Delhi.
The rift between Kailash Gahlot and the AAP began during the celebration of the 78th Independence Day when Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena named Gahlot for flag-hoisting duty instead of Atishi Singh, whom Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had preferred. The incident triggered tensions within the party, creating a sense of mistrust. Unlike other AAP leaders who frequently engaged in verbal confrontations with the Lieutenant Governor’s office, Gahlot avoided public disputes and continued to perform his official duties alongside Saxena. These included activities like laying foundation stones, inaugurating new buses, and attending DMRC events, which reportedly caused discomfort among senior AAP leaders.
According to sources, Gahlot’s relationship with the party started deteriorating after Kejriwal’s imprisonment. Following the February 2023 resignations of Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, Gahlot became the second-in-command in the Delhi cabinet, managing multiple portfolios and presenting the Delhi budget as finance minister. However, a cabinet reshuffle in June saw Atishi taking over key departments, including revenue, planning, and finance, which were previously under Gahlot’s charge. Additionally, the law portfolio was also reassigned. These changes apparently left Gahlot dissatisfied, further straining his ties with the party leadership.
Political analysts closely observing Delhi politics believe Kailash Gahlot’s exit is a significant setback for the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. As a prominent Jat leader with strong grassroots support, Gahlot’s departure could have far-reaching implications. Analysts noted that as a two-time MLA from Najafgarh, Gahlot has the potential to inflict substantial damage on AAP while strengthening the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections. The BJP is likely to leverage his presence to spotlight alleged corruption during Kejriwal’s tenure, giving the party an edge in its campaign.