Sun Nov 17 18:38:50 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot Resigns from AAP, Citing Pressure from ED and IT Raids
**New Delhi:** Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), sending shockwaves through the capital’s political scene. While AAP chief and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offered no direct comment on the resignation at a press conference called to welcome former BJP MLA Anil Jha into the party, AAP leader Durgesh Pathak attributed Gahlot’s departure to pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) department, claiming the BJP was using investigative agencies to influence the upcoming elections.
Gahlot’s resignation was accepted by Chief Minister Atishi. The unexpected development prompted questions from reporters during the press conference, prompting Kejriwal to deflect the inquiries to Pathak.
Pathak stated that Gahlot had faced intense pressure through ED and IT raids in recent months, leaving him with no alternative. He further alleged that the BJP was using investigative agencies to fight the election and that their actions indicated fear of electoral defeat.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP, accused the BJP of orchestrating Gahlot’s resignation through dirty politics and conspiracies, alleging pressure tactics using ED and CBI raids. He claimed that this signaled the start of the BJP’s “Modi washing machine” operation to attract AAP leaders ahead of the Delhi elections.
In contrast, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva welcomed Gahlot’s decision, praising it as courageous. Sachdeva suggested that Gahlot’s departure indicated a belief that the AAP had misused taxpayer money and hinted at a potential welcome for Gahlot within the BJP. He stated that any honest person who loved Delhi would not work with Kejriwal’s alleged “gang of robbers”.
The reasons behind Gahlot’s resignation and his future political plans remain unclear. However, the event has significantly intensified the political climate in Delhi, particularly as the city heads towards upcoming elections. The inclusion of unrelated information about Bal Thackeray has been removed as it is irrelevant to the core news story.
First Piper 