AAP Top Brass' Snub: Kailash Gahlot’s Decision To Quit Wasn’t On A Whim

New Delhi, November 18, 2024 – Congress MLA and former AAP Cabinet Minister Kailash Gahlot has made a surprise move by quitting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership, sources close to him revealed. The development came after nearly two years of tension between Gahlot and the party top brass.

Gahlot was not one to quit on a whim, according to sources, who point out that he faced pressure from central agencies and felt sidelined by the AAP's sudden decision to promote newcomer Atishi as chief minister. The decision to give Atishi the top spot followed Kejriwal's resignation, leaving many senior AAP leaders furious at being left out.

The situation turned further when Gahlot was repeatedly snubbed for important cabinet portfolios and roles. "He was expecting a better position and power after we lost our top leadership in jail and underwent internal changes," an insider revealed. After his allies Sisodia and Kejriwal were arrested last year, Gahlot should have been given more authority but was instead stripped of key ministries.

It was only after he became Delhi's home minister that AAP leader VK Saxena started taking interest in him, sources said. However, the appointment by Saxena to hoist the national flag at Independence Day celebrations in August only added to the tension within the party ranks as Kejriwal, then chief minister, wanted Atishi for the role.

Adding fuel to the fire was the snub that made Gahlot side-eye AAP bigwigs after he attended all events hosted by Arvind Kejriwal despite those other leaders being missing from such functions. Furthermore, many senior AAP ministers had not received their usual powers and could only be ignored as Atishi assumed every ministry.

Gahlot left behind his senior-most position, and there are rumors that he might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).