Mon Nov 18 09:16:18 UTC 2024: ## Delhi AAP Minister’s Resignation Exposes Party Rift Ahead of Elections
**New Delhi** – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing a major internal crisis following the resignation of Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot, a move that highlights deepening divisions within the party just ahead of crucial Delhi elections. Gahlot’s departure, announced [date of article], follows the redistribution of portfolios previously held by arrested former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
The rift reportedly began in December when Gahlot’s Law and Justice portfolio was transferred to Atishi, now Delhi’s Chief Minister. Tensions escalated during an Independence Day flag-hoisting controversy, where the Lieutenant Governor overruled Chief Minister Atishi’s selection, assigning the task to Gahlot.
In his resignation letter, Gahlot cited concerns over the party’s handling of the Yamuna cleaning project and the renovation of the Chief Minister’s residence. However, senior AAP leaders, including Sanjay Singh, accused Gahlot of succumbing to pressure from the BJP and central agencies like the ED and Income Tax Department, alleging he was acting according to a BJP script ahead of the elections.
While Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal remained silent on the matter, other AAP leaders, such as Durgesh Pathak, echoed the accusations of political coercion, further fueling speculation about internal strife. The party’s silence on the matter is adding to the sense of instability.
Gahlot’s resignation comes at a critical time for AAP, intensifying scrutiny and raising concerns about potential further defections. The incident underscores the significant challenges facing the party both internally and from external political pressures as it prepares for the upcoming elections.
First Piper 