Former Delhi Transport Minister and prominent Jat leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kailash Gahlot, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, just days before the upcoming assembly elections.
Gahlot’s decision to switch parties came shortly after he resigned from his ministerial post and AAP membership. He formally joined the BJP in the presence of Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva.
In his statement, Gahlot said his decision was not an easy one, given his long association with AAP since its inception during Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement. However, he strongly refuted allegations that his move was made under pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“I joined AAP with a vision to bring change, but the values and ethics we fought for have been compromised,” he said. Gahlot accused AAP of prioritising political ambitions over its commitment to public service, alleging that the party had focused more on political battles with the Centre than addressing the needs of the people.
Citing his resignation letter, Gahlot mentioned unfulfilled promises and recent controversies surrounding the party as reasons for his departure. “We have increasingly been fighting for our own political agenda rather than the rights of the people,” he remarked.
Gahlot, the MLA for Najafgarh, resigned from the Delhi Council of Ministers, where he was responsible for portfolios including Home, Administrative Reforms, IT, and Women and Child Development. His resignation was accepted by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
Responding to Gahlot’s move, AAP convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated on Tuesday, “He is free to go wherever he wants.”
The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the BJP of coercing Gahlot through pressure from central agencies. Senior AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh claimed that the resignation was part of the BJP’s “dirty politics” and alleged that the ED and CBI were used to target Gahlot and his family.
“Pressure was created on Gahlot through ED and CBI raids. Now he is following the BJP’s script,” Singh stated, referring to what he described as the “Modi Washing Machine,” a term used to accuse the BJP of absolving defectors of corruption charges once they join the party.
Chief AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar also alleged that Gahlot’s move to the BJP was motivated by a desire to avoid imprisonment amid ongoing investigations.
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