Aam Aadmi Party's Most Senior Cabinet Minister Kailash Gahlot Quits After Feeling Sidelined
Delhi, November 18, 2014 | New Delhi Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) cabinet minister Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party yesterday. His exit comes a week after he was forced to attend events alongside Deputy Chief Minister Atishi, who has been getting an advantage over senior leaders in matters of policy-making and power allocation.
The Delhi Congress leader was expected to lead his ministry but could only manage law, justice, and legislative affairs departments for three months. As per sources, Kailash Gahlot is upset with the sudden decision by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from nominating Atishi for hoisting national flag on August 15th last year.
Kejriwal had nominated him to hoist the national flag because of his long-term experience and power allocation over Delhi's governance. However, he nominated Atishi despite a growing opposition within his party.
Sources close to AAP confirm that some senior leaders have been seeking more powers during an unprecedented shift in Kejriwal’s leadership structure since August this year. In August last year, two members at the heart of AAP - Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain who won multiple departments under his charge for years - joined the opposition.
They went to jail after being arrested by law enforcement agencies on charges related to corruption against Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government. As a part of that, Gahlot’s cabinet minister post was given over after Manish Sisodia took over it in the month of March this year.
Moreover, some top leaders reportedly have not liked it when Kejriwal, who won 8 Lok Sabha seats outright and became Chief Minister unopposed, has chosen Atishi as the new leader instead of them. Gahlot is also among them - he had given priority over 4 departments - revenue; legislative affairs, Law, and justice.
AAP Leader Quits Amid Power Struggle
Gahlot's sudden departure has sent waves across AAP as this move could upset a potential alliance with other opposition parties.
According to the Delhi High Court orders issued in its order of January. After which many party lawmakers are supposed to join AAP after winning elections. In addition, he was the senior-most leader after his cabinet ministers were arrested on corruption charges.
"However, his dream didn't materialise as Atishi is still facing opposition from 40-something AAP legislators including senior leaders in Congress," a source claimed.