Mon Nov 18 21:19:14 UTC 2024: **Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot Quits AAP, Citing Internal Challenges and Controversies**

NEW DELHI — In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) months before the Delhi assembly elections, senior minister Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party and his cabinet position on Sunday. Gahlot, a prominent Jat leader and MLA for Najafgarh, cited “grave internal challenges,” “embarrassing controversies,” and unfulfilled party promises as reasons for his departure. He also criticized the Delhi government’s focus on battling the central government, hindering real progress for the city.

Gahlot’s resignation is the third from the Kejriwal cabinet in recent months. Raaj Kumar Anand left in April and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), following Rajendra Pal Gautam’s resignation in November 2022.

The BJP welcomed Gahlot’s move, interpreting it as validation of their criticisms of the Delhi government. However, the AAP countered, alleging that Gahlot was pressured by central agencies like the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), forcing him to join the BJP. The AAP cited numerous raids on Gahlot’s properties as evidence of this pressure.

Gahlot’s resignation letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal specifically mentioned controversies such as renovations at the Chief Minister’s residence (“Sheeshmahal”) and the failure to clean the Yamuna River as contributing factors to his decision. He stated that these issues, along with internal party struggles, had eroded the AAP’s commitment to its core values and the common man.

While neither Gahlot nor the BJP confirmed his joining the opposition party, the AAP strongly suggested this was the outcome of alleged pressure from central agencies. The Congress also commented on the resignation, suggesting it was unsurprising given the reported treatment of AAP colleagues. The AAP holds a comfortable majority in the Delhi assembly, but Gahlot’s departure adds a layer of uncertainty to the upcoming elections.

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