Kailash Gahlot Dumps Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Says He Wasn't Given Enough Power After Top Leadership Went Jail

New Delhi: Kailash Gahlot, a senior AAP leader and cabinet minister until Sunday, has quit the party and allegedly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 50-year-old politician's decision comes after he felt sidelined by the AAP's new leadership, which he claimed was not willing to give him enough power and prestige.

Gahlot had been a relatively quiet leader within the AAP and kept away from the public eye for much of his time as cabinet minister. However, sources close to him said that he recently came under intense pressure from central agencies, including the income tax department, which have been investigating various cases against him.

The AAP leadership's decision to nominate "newcomer" Atishi instead of Gahlot for key positions has also reportedly rankled with the veteran leader. Gahlot had played a significant role in Delhi when Satyendar Jain was arrested and was allocated eight ministries that were previously held by Jain, but after Jain's arrest, these were taken away from him.

Over the past few months, Atishi had been poaching many AAP leaders to join her side, making them feel marginalized. This included Gahlot himself, who reportedly feels that the AAP leadership has not given him enough respect and power post his tenure ended abruptly in July this year due to arrest of senior ministers.

An AAP leader told News18, “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."

The AAP leadership announced on Sunday that Gahlot was under pressure from central agencies and had decided to quit the party to join the BJP.