Aam Aadmi Party's Top Ministry Portfolio Snatched Away: Former CM Kailash Gahlot's Unexpected Exit

In a stunning turn of events, 50-year-old former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kailash Gahlot was left out in the cold by his own party as he walked away from the party just hours before Sunday's crucial assembly polls.

According to sources close to News18, Gahlot was expected a better position and power after the arrest of the top leadership of AAP, who went to jail due to corruption allegations. However, despite being promised more responsibilities, Gahlot was left high and dry as several key ministries were taken away from him.

Gahlot, along with former deputy CM Satyendar Jain, was expected to contest the polls but an interesting thing happened; he took a final decision against contesting polls at the last minute.

"We were quite happy that Atishi didn't contest these elections," said an AAP leader on condition of anonymity.

Gahlot's absence from the party came even as AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi's Lt-Governor (L-G) Saurabh Patel made a strong showing in state. When asked to take part in campaigning of AAP, Gahlot denied any role at all as his own party had denied him permission.

Gahlot was not seen even at events organized by Atishi. In fact, L-G Saxena was more prominently visible where Gahlot used to be.

For months a high-level feud between Kejriwal and L-G Saxena came to notice in the public eye due to a bitter dispute over a land deal in South Delhi's NDMC area. This is indeed one of many controversies that AAP had during its five-year tenure. Gahlot’s absence does send signal of a party that is on a retreat, which can surely put question-mark above AAP’s future prospects.

Gahlot's decision to quit comes just months after AAP leader Atishi took over the reins of power; Gahlot was also part of an informal task force formed by Kejriwal.