AAP Top Brass Snubs Cabinet Minister Kailash Gahlot Amid Power Struggle, Why He Quit to Join BJP?

Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) decision to sideline 50-year-old cabinet minister Kailash Gahlot has raised questions about the power struggle within the party and why he quit to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Gahlot, who was expected to hold a key position after the arrest of top AAP leadership and reshuffle in the party, was instead sidelined. His last-minute departure from the party is seen as a result of internal conflicts between the party's brass and central agencies.

Sources close to Gahlot told News18 that he had expected more powers and responsibility after the leadership went to jail. However, his plea for more power was ignored by the AAP leadership, which decided to promote newcomer Atishi instead of him as the chief minister.

Gahlot's decision to quit was reportedly triggered by a series of incidents involving AAP top brass. The party leadership had snubbed him even when they were out of jail, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal missing major events where Gahlot should have been present.

Moreover, the party had put Atishi at the forefront over Gahlot's seniority and experience. Despite being a relatively inexperienced leader, Atishi was given more portfolios and became Delhi's chief minister. The AAP had nominated "newcomer" Atishi instead of Gahlot or any senior minister for flag-hoisting on August 15, at the state-level Independence Day event.

This snub, together with other incidents, led to a major rift between Gahlot and the party leadership. He was ultimately nominated by Lt-Governor VK Saxena to hoist the national flag at an Independence Day function instead, making Gahlot realize he was being left behind.

When Kejriwal decided to resign, News18 reported that the former chief minister chose Atishi as his successor, causing an outrage among senior AAP leaders. Not only did they feel snubbed but also unhappy with the decision to give such a top spot to someone who had just joined politics in 2020 and did not have much experience.

With his last position being law, justice, and legislative affairs department taken away from him, sources told News18 that Gahlot came out feeling let down. As it stands today, there are rumors suggesting he might join the BJP.

It's reported that despite facing pressure from central agencies and allegations against him since 2018, there were efforts to keep him in AAP but ultimately failed due to internal strife within the party