Kailash Gahlot Quits AAP: Senior Leadership Snub Amid Power Vacuum
In a shocking move, veteran AAP leader Kailash Gahlot has resigned from the party, citing an inability to work with a top brass leadership that he believes is increasingly isolated and disconnected from its core values.
Gahlot's decision to quitAAP comes after several incidents and decisions in recent months, particularly since the arrest of the party's top leadership. According to sources, Gahlot was expecting a better position and power after the top leadership went to jail and a reshuffle took place in the party but was instead sidelined.
The AAP on Sunday stated that Gahlot was under pressure from central agencies and left the party to join the BJP. However, insiders claim that this narrative is a smokescreen for a more complex web of internal power dynamics and personal relationships.
Gahlot's rise within the party marked him as a quiet worker who managed to maintain a working relationship with officials despite facing numerous challenges and controversies. His leadership was marked by his ability to keep his distance from name-calling and blame games, unlike many other AAP leaders.
The AAP's decision to nominate newcomer Atishi over Gahlot or any senior minister for flag-hoisting on August 15 at the state-level Independence Day event has also been a source of friction. Gahlot was later nominated by LG VK Saxena to hoist the national flag, a move that has raised eyebrows.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Gahlot's resignation is not just about personal grievances but also reflects his frustration with a party leadership that he believes has deviated from its core principles and values. The party's decision-making process, the increasing influence of individual interests, and a general sense of disunity within the ranks are all cited as reasons for his exit.
Critics have pointed out that Atishi was given multiple ministerial portfolios at an unprecedented early stage in her career, prompting questions about fairness, equality, and the lack of opportunities for more experienced leaders like Gahlot. With several AAP leaders unhappy with the decision to give the top spot to a new face while sidelining others, this story raises concerns about party discipline and the future trajectory of the AAP.
Gahlot's exit will likely add to the existing turmoil within the party, as it seeks to find balance between the ambitions of new leadership and the expectations of its long-standing veterans.