Kailash Gahlot’s Exit: AAP Top Brass Snubbed A Senior Leader to Promote Atishi

New Delhi: The sudden exit of Kailash Gahlot from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised questions about the party's leadership woes. Sources close to senior leaders revealed that 50-year-old Gahlot, a veteran AAP MLA and cabinet minister, was under pressure from central agencies but had to quit the party due to snubs by top brass.

Gahlot, who held several key ministries in the Arvind Kejriwal government, including law and justice and legislative affairs, took a backseat after the arrest of senior AAP leaders. Despite his seniority, his importance in the party was diminished when Atishi, a newcomer to politics, emerged as a star candidate with many ministerial posts to her name.

The AAP's decision to promote Atishi over other experienced leaders is seen as an attempt to bring diversity and woman power into governance. However, senior AAP sources expressed disappointment and resentment towards Gahlot being snubbed, especially during the Independence Day function where he was expected to hoist the national flag instead of Atishi.

Atishi's rapid rise also left many AAP veterans unhappy with the party leadership's perception that newer faces can be given greater importance than established leaders. The exit of veteran officials like Gahlot and Satyendar Jain has weakened the party's leadership, raising concerns about internal power struggle.

Sources close to senior AAP leaders attributed Gahlot's decision to quit as the inability to achieve desired recognition within the party and felt left out in key decisions despite being one of the most senior leaders after the top three cabinet ministers resigned due to arrest.