AAP Top Brass Snub Gahlot's Demise Amid Party Power Struggle

KAILASH GAHLOT QUIT AAP TO JOIN BJP, Sources Reveal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) cabinet minister Kailash Gahlot on Sunday tendered his resignation, but the departure was not a whim, according to sources close to him.

Instead, it was a culmination of several incidents and decisions in the last few months that "forced him to quit", say insiders. The developments came after the arrest of top AAP leadership members, led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which left Gahlot, 50, feeling sidelined.

Sources told News18 that senior leaders were unhappy with the decision to give top spot Atishi instead of Gahlot during recent months, who had been the Delhi's home minister. This was after Gahlot resigned some ministries in February 2023 and eight ministries he held fell, they said. Even senior AAP members are reportedly worried about this trend.

Gahlot was given additional powers in March 2023 along with another first-time MLA Atishi, who was elected just in 2020 and assigned the most important portfolios of cabinet at that time - Power, Education, Public Works Development, PWD, Panchayat & Urban Development.

Despite not having any significant disputes with his colleagues, Gahlot remained away from media for long periods, sources said. The AAP top brass was largely absent in ministerial-level meetings led by Gahlot, even when Kejriwal and Delhi's Deputy CM Manish Sisodia were imprisoned. This further solidified their perception that there was a lack of trust towards him.

When he was appointed for national flag hoisting during 2021 Independence Day celebrations - at that time Kejriwal in Jail and with maximum power being enjoyed by Lt Governor VK Saxena, several party leaders did not allow Atishi or any senior leader to take part. However Gahlot's name surfaced on that day as he has significant support within the government.

Furthermore, with Kejhwal resigning, sources told News18 that he was made Chief minister replacing Sisodia - after which Sisodia left his eight ministries allocated to him for Gahlot and he became home minister once in 12 months while others were assigned their respective portfolios.

However the move had several implications. Senior leaders in AAP found Gahlot and many seasoned political veteran's skills inadequate due to lack of experience that could cause a significant setback at assembly polls - which are approaching in Delhi soon.

Gahlot's silence may be seen as a significant loss by the AAP but it is only too small of a consolation compared with its current predicament, said an unnamed senior leader. For several months now, the top brass was almost absent from ministerial meetings and events where Gahlot had held the fort.

The AAP on Sunday stated that Gahlot quit due to central agencies' pressure, but sources claimed this is not true. In fact, a very senior AAP source said: "There were signs of distrust by some leaders. Several high-ranking officials in AAP found it difficult to deal with Kailash given certain... unorthodox practices."

"Kejriwal had an alternative vision for the party. Not everyone finds it suitable," revealed the same insider.

Sources close to Gahlot said that Gahlot has never faced any tax-related trouble before and never moved out of his house despite receiving a government allocation. He only appeared in media about once every four months - which was something that even other senior ministers couldn't surpass.

With no formal statement made by him regarding joining the BJP or not yet, many experts speculate Kailash Gahlot's entry will shape the AAP's current turmoil further.

The first published on November 18, 2024.