Kailash Gehlot Joins BJP After Resigning from AAP, Cites Party’s Shift in Values

NEW DELHI: Kailash Gehlot, former Delhi Transport Minister and a prominent Jat leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, following his resignation from both his ministerial post and AAP.

Speaking at a press conference with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Gehlot explained that his decision was not made lightly, as he had been with AAP since the time of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement. He strongly denied accusations that his resignation was under pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), calling such claims unfounded. Gehlot cited his growing disillusionment with AAP’s shift away from its core values as the main reason for his departure. He expressed that the party had compromised on the ideals for which they had once fought, prompting him to leave and join the BJP.

The former AAP minister expressed concern over the party’s increasing focus on political conflicts with the Centre rather than addressing public concerns. He stated that the AAP’s political ambitions had begun to overshadow its commitment to serving the people.

In his resignation letter, Gehlot also mentioned the recent controversies surrounding AAP and its unfulfilled promises to the public. He resigned from his ministerial roles, which included responsibilities for Home, Administrative Reforms, IT, and Women and Child Development. Gehlot, who represents Najafgarh as an MLA, had his resignation accepted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.

Kejriwal Responds

In response, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal remarked, “He is free, he can go wherever he wants.”

Previously, AAP had accused the BJP of pressuring Gehlot with ED and CBI investigations. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh suggested that Gehlot’s resignation was part of the BJP’s “dirty politics,” alleging that the BJP had used these agencies to coerce him into defecting. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar further suggested that Gehlot joined the BJP to avoid potential legal trouble, amid ongoing investigations into him and his family.

Singh also claimed that the BJP employed what he called the “Modi Washing Machine,” suggesting that any charges against politicians who defected to the BJP would be miraculously cleared once they joined the party.