On one hand Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) loves to call itself “kattar imandar” (strictly honest), on the other hand another close confidant and long-time association of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, party leader Kailash Gahlot has resigned. According to sources, he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This is a major setback for AAP ahead of Delhi Assembly polls. Chief Minister Atishi has accepted Gahlot’s resignation.
Gahlot was in charge of key portfolios in the Delhi government, including Home, transport, IT and Women and Child Development.
“Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people, leaving many promises unfulfilled. Take for example the Yamuna, which we had promised to transform into a clean river, but never got around to doing it. Now the Yamuna River perhaps even more polluted than ever before,” Gahlot wrote in his resignation letter addressed to party convener Arvind Kejriwal.
Gahlot further said, “Many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the “Sheeshmahal” the term used by the BJP to refer to the Chief Minister’s residence renovated during Kejriwal’s term. He said, “Such controversies are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the Aam Aadmi.”
Taking a pick at AAP, Gahlot said, “AAP has been fighting for own political agenda” and this has “severely crippled our ability to even deliver basic services to the people of Delhi”. “It is now obvious that real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends majority of its time fighting with the Centre.”
“I had started my political journey with the commitment to serve the people of Delhi and I want to continue doing that. Which is why, I fed myself left with no option but to step away from AAP and hence I resign from primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party. I wish you the best for your health and future, Gahlot wrote in the resignation letter.
The BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said “Gahlot has detailed how Aam Aadmi Party has become Khaas (special) Aadmi Party. They have broken all promises they made to people. AAP has become Arvind Aadmi Party. Their leader has exposed them.”
Delhi BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva congratulated Gahlot and said, “He had taken a bold step.” He further said it proves that even people in Arvind Kejriwal’s party believe that he has misused Delhi taxpayers’ money for Sheeshmahal.
