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

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kailash Gahlot has quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leaving many to wonder what drove his decision.

Sources close to Gahlot revealed that over the past few months, he was increasingly disenchanted with the way his party functionaries were handling him. Despite being an experienced leader who served in several key ministries during the AAP's tenure, including law, justice and legislative affairs (LJA), revenue, and finance, he felt sidelined.

Gahlot had managed to quietly stay out of controversy despite being under scanner of central agencies since 2018. However, when his party top brass nominated ''newcomer" Atishi as the chief minister and handed over three crucial ministries and departments - law, justice and legislative affairs and revenue to her — a demoted cabinet minister felt that enough was enough.

While AAP's first-time MLA from 2020, Atishi won the trust of senior AAP leaders, many inside the party felt it was an unfair move. An AAP leader, who wished anonymity, said, "There is a certain system that should be followed. You cannot give so much power to newcomers while those with experience sit awaiting better opportunities."

Sources also revealed that Gahlot was not given more power and position after top three cabinet ministers were arrested one after the other and resigned from the party in February 2023 and even when he had maximum ministries.

In March 2023, Atishi joined AAP Cabinet but it didn't help her elevate seniors like Saurabh Bharadwaj who was later relieved of his health portfolio. In August, Gahlot's ministry at MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) went to new hands too, which added insult to injury for top brass side in which he sat silently despite being under agencies' scanner.

AAP sources revealed that Atishi rose rapidly up the party ranks after making her entry into the Cabinet but this came on expense of some senior AAP leaders including Kailash Gahlot who managed a quiet relationship with officials without any public spats and problems — something they have struggled to replicate.