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

NEW DELHI: Kailash Gahlot, former Delhi transport minister and a prominent Jat face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, just a day after resigning from his ministerial position and AAP.

Gahlot made the announcement in the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. He stated that his decision was not easy, as he had been with AAP since the time of Anna Hazare’s movement. Gahlot strongly refuted claims that his decision was made under pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), calling such narratives false. He explained that his disillusionment with AAP arose from the party compromising on the values for which they had fought, which led him to quit and join the BJP.

The former AAP minister expressed concerns over the party’s departure from its core principles, which he said reflected the sentiment of many party workers. He criticized the AAP-led Delhi government for focusing more on political battles with the Centre rather than addressing public issues. Gahlot added that the party’s political ambitions were now superseding its commitment to the people.

In his resignation letter, Gahlot also referred to recent controversies surrounding AAP and the party’s unfulfilled promises to the public. He resigned from his ministerial positions, which included portfolios for Home, Administrative Reforms, IT, and Women and Child Development. He represents Najafgarh as an MLA, and his resignation was accepted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.

Kejriwal Responds
In response, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal commented on Gahlot’s move, stating, “He is free, he can go wherever he wants.”

AAP had earlier accused the BJP of pressuring Gahlot with ED and CBI investigations. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed Gahlot’s resignation was a part of the BJP’s “dirty politics,” alleging that the BJP used these agencies to pressure him into joining their ranks. AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar further suggested that Gahlot’s decision to join the BJP was motivated by a desire to avoid imprisonment amid ongoing investigations into him and his family.

Singh also claimed that the BJP used the “Modi Washing Machine” to clear any charges against defecting politicians once they joined the party, with accusations disappearing miraculously after such moves.