Kailash Gahlot, a former Delhi Transport Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, officially resigned from the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after leaving the AAP and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Gahlot submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, stating in his letter, “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.”
“I hereby tender my resignation from the Legislative Assembly of Delhi,” he added.
Journey from AAP to BJP
Kailash Gahlot left his ministerial post and the AAP on November 17, citing a dilution of the party’s principles. The following day, he joined the BJP and quickly became a prominent figure in the party’s preparation for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
On November 23, he was appointed a member of the Delhi Assembly Election Coordination Committee by Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva, with approval from the party’s senior leadership.
Speaking about his decision, Gahlot stated, “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.”
BJP’s Focus on Assembly Elections
Gahlot met BJP President JP Nadda and Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to discuss strategies for the upcoming elections in Delhi, which are expected early next year. The BJP is gearing up to challenge AAP’s dominance in the capital, aiming to capitalize on Gahlot’s switch.
AAP’s Preparations
In response to the political developments, the Aam Aadmi Party has released its first list of 11 candidates for key constituencies, including Chhatarpur, Kirari, Vishwas Nagar, and Karawal Nagar. AAP hopes to maintain its stronghold after securing a landslide victory in the 2020 Assembly elections, where it won 62 of 70 seats, while the BJP managed only eight.
The upcoming elections will test both parties’ strategies and the impact of key defections like Gahlot’s on voter sentiment.