Sun Nov 17 08:15:46 UTC 2024: ## Senior AAP Leader Kailash Gahlot Resigns, Citing Internal Party Conflicts and Broken Promises

**New Delhi** – Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party today, citing internal conflicts and accusing the party of straying from its core values. His resignation follows months of simmering tensions within the AAP, sparked by a dispute over the unfurling of the national flag on Independence Day.

The initial conflict arose when then-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was jailed at the time on charges related to the alleged liquor policy scam, directed Education Minister Atishi to unfurl the flag. However, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena overruled this decision, assigning the task to Gahlot, the Home Minister, citing the Home Department’s oversight of the Delhi Police. This move triggered a bitter clash between the AAP government and the LG’s office, with AAP accusing the LG of petty politics and undermining the elected government.

Further straining the relationship was the December transfer of the law department from Gahlot to Atishi. Sources indicate a significant backlog of work within the department contributed to this decision.

In his resignation letter, Gahlot was highly critical of the AAP, describing current controversies as “embarrassing and awkward.” He specifically mentioned the “Sheeshmahal” controversy – referring to criticism over Kejriwal’s official residence expenses – as an example of misplaced priorities. He also criticized the party’s failure to address key promises, such as cleaning the Yamuna River, and lamented a shift in focus from serving the people to pursuing political agendas. He stated that the party’s constant battles with the central government hampered its ability to deliver basic services to Delhi residents.

The BJP has seized upon Gahlot’s resignation, framing it as evidence of internal disarray and the AAP’s failure to fulfill its promises to Delhi’s citizens. Gahlot’s departure marks a significant blow to the AAP, highlighting deepening internal divisions and raising questions about the party’s future.

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