AAP Top Brass' Snub: Kailash Gahlot's Decision To Quit Not On A Whim Over Pressure From Central Agencies

In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday, two-time Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and former cabinet minister Kailash Gahlot submitted his resignation from the party after facing increasing pressure from central agencies.

News18 has confirmed that 50-year-old Gahlot was not expected to quit suddenly, but had decided against staying with a party where he felt sideloned despite holding one of the high-profile positions in his cabinet. Although AAP leaders claimed that Gahlot had left for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following pressure from central agencies, sources told News18 that it was not that simple.

According to insiders, the sudden decision by an Aam Aadmi's former cabinet minister can be understood only if one took a broad view of recent developments at Delhi in last few months.

Just before Gahlot started facing intense heat from several fronts, senior AAP cabinet leaders had suddenly found themselves facing trial as their bail was denied. As part-time leaders of the party that holds power in Delhi, many top party executives were visibly absent from all events organized by other leaders of the party - except when chief minister Arvind Kejriwal happened to be present.

One notable example is that at all such official functions where senior ministers participated for months after they left jail, Gahlot did turn up but this time for all occasions with Atishi (current Delhi's Chief Minister). However, Gahlot made it a point to attend every programme if Kejriwal was also present there.

Kejriwal and Delhi chief minister Atishi were missing from key transport-related events while Lt Governor Vaigyanik Saxena who has been frequently flanked by Kejreawai during several events. The gulf between them became more visible in August when the AAP leadership was attacking the L-G and BJP for the arrest of senior party leaders, including Manish Sisodia.

Gahlot then invited Saxena to events too but only then would he join meetings. Moreover, it was Saxena who was present at the launch of the bus depot's foundation stone. Also, when Kejriwal resigned to give Atishi a smooth transfer as Delhi Chief Minister in August, Gahlot felt bitter.

Sources now claim that many senior AAP leaders had been unhappy with the choice that party’s new leader chose as chief minister - Atishi who joined only in 2020 was given topmost spots which many felt were unwarranted. The decision has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among AAP legislators in Delhi Legislative Assembly, sources told News18.

Gahlot according to sources was disappointed after an eventful journey with high expectations. He should have been promoted further following senior leaders' arrest - first Satyendar Jain then Manish Sisodia. But these were taken away from him later when many of Gahlo's other key ministries too switched hands.

Another concern is whether the central leadership has played a role in his resignation process with sources now claiming that Gahlot had been facing pressure from several fronts for months, and at some point took this decision to quit party due.