Mon Nov 18 19:57:55 UTC 2024: ## AAP Appoints Jat Leader Shokeen to Delhi Cabinet After Gahlot’s Defection to BJP

**New Delhi, November 19, 2024** – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swiftly appointed Raghuvinder Shokeen, a Jat leader and two-time Nangloi legislator, to fill the cabinet vacancy created by the defection of Kailash Gahlot to the BJP. Gahlot, who served as a Delhi Minister holding key portfolios including Transport and Home, resigned from AAP and joined the BJP on Monday.

Shokeen, a Najafgarh MLA, was chosen by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia highlighted Shokeen’s popularity within the Jat community and his experience in education. Sisodia also noted Shokeen’s civil engineering background, suggesting his expertise will be valuable to the government.

In a statement, Shokeen accused the BJP of consistently working against the Jat community and alleged that the BJP’s recent victory in Haryana was achieved by exploiting divisions within the state. He vowed to work for the development of Delhi in his new role.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal addressed party workers, framing the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections as a crucial battle (“dharmayudh”), claiming divine and popular support for AAP. He accused the BJP of attempting to undermine AAP through bribery and intimidation during the recent mayoral elections, but asserted that AAP’s victory demonstrated divine intervention. He further alleged that the BJP is resorting to desperate measures to win the Delhi elections.

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