When questioned about Kailash Gahlot’s unexpected departure, Arvind Kejriwal turned the microphone away, avoiding a response.

New Delhi: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday refused to say if the sudden resignation of Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot has sent shock waves within the party. Kejriwal was questioned about Gahlot’s sudden exit while he announced the membership of former BJP MLA Anil Jha into AAP from the media hall. Kejriwal handed over the microphone to senior party leader Durgesh Pathak seated beside him. When the reporter prompted him to respond, Kejriwal smiled and said, “You want an answer, right?” as Pathak continued addressing the issue. Kejriwal later attacked the BJP but did not mention Gahlot’s resignation.

Pathak said the Gahlot had seen months of ED and IT department raids and investigations. “He had little choice. But it shows the BJP’s desperation after losing the Delhi election; they depend on ED, CBI, and Income Tax actions while we focus on people’s issues,” he added.

Earlier, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh termed Gahlot’s resignation to be a part of “dirty politics” by the BJP. Singh said that it was due to ED-CBI pressure tactics by BJP, after which Gahlot had a well-scripted resignation. Singh paralleled this with the ‘Modi Washing Machine’ where opposition parties brand BJP’s alleged coercion through the investigation of leaders to join BJP.

Gahlot resigned just in time before he posted his resignation letter on social media, where he pointed out the problems inside AAP. The reason he gave was that “political ambitions have overshadowed our commitment to the people”, leaving many promises unfulfilled, one of which is the promise to clean the Yamuna River. He further berates the scandals by the party, starting from the Chief Minister’s house renovation, termed by opponents as “Sheeshmahal,” and asked if AAP still means the commoner.
AAP’s obsession with its political agenda has stunted its ability to deliver basic services in Delhi, Gahlot said. He said conflict with the Centre had become unsustainable and he felt he had to move away from AAP to be able to carry on working with the people. A lawyer by profession, Gahlot has represented the Nazafgarh Assembly constituency and was inducted as cabinet minister in December 2015. Gahlot was also given the finance portfolio after former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s arrest last year.

The BJP responded sharply to Gahlot’s resignation. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Gahlot’s letter was all about saying “Aam Aadmi Party has become Khaas (elite) Aadmi Party,” alleging the AAP of not working on its electoral promises and only working for their leaders’ agenda.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva hailed Gahlot’s “bold decision” and extended an invitation for him to join BJP, saying it confirms even AAP members believe Kejriwal is misusing taxpayer money.


Next Story:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *