“I haven't ever taken any decision due to pressure…”: Kailash Gahlot Joins BJP a Day After Resigning from AAP

A day after resigning from the Aam Admi Party (AAP) , Kailash Gahlot on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In his resignation letter, Gahlot expressed disappointment over AAP’s shift in priorities, claiming that the party’s political ambitions had taken precedence over its commitment to the people of Delhi. He joined BJP in the presence of Union Ministers ML Khattar and Harsh Malhotra. Khattar referred to Kailash Gahlot's joining the BJP as a "turning point," particularly with the upcoming February elections.

"This is not an easy step for me... I was a part of the AAP since the time of Anna Hazare and have worked for Delhi throughout... as MLA and minister," Gahlot said, reflecting on his long tenure with AAP, which emerged from the anti-corruption movement led by Hazare. He stressed that his decision was not made impulsively or under any external pressure. "Some may think this is an overnight decision... or due to pressure. But I want to tell them I haven't ever taken any decision due to pressure," Gahlot told reporters after joining the BJP. He rejected speculations that his move was the result of pressure from federal agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Enforcement Directorate (ED), which AAP often accuses the BJP of using to target political rivals.

Addressing these claims, Gahlot firmly asserted, "Since 2015, as AAP member, as MLA, and as Minister – I have never done anything due to pressure." Instead, he pointed to AAP’s internal changes, claiming that the party had compromised its core values. “The fact is, AAP compromised its values,” he added, suggesting that the party’s political ambitions—such as discussions about Arvind Kejriwal’s potential candidacy for Prime Minister—had overtaken its original mission of serving the people.

Gahlot’s resignation letter to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal echoed these concerns, accusing the party of losing sight of its founding ideals. "Instead of fighting for people's rights, we have increasingly only been fighting for our own political agenda," he wrote, criticizing AAP's shift from grassroots service to pursuing its own political interests.

As a prominent Jat leader within AAP, Gahlot also took a dig at Kejriwal, citing controversies like the 'Sheeshmahal' issue as damaging to the party’s credibility. "It makes everyone doubt if we still believe in being 'Aam Aadmi'," he remarked, questioning whether the party still adhered to its founding principles.

Gahlot's departure from AAP is a significant blow to the party, particularly with Delhi Assembly elections approaching in February next year. His resignation marks the third time a member of Kejriwal's cabinet has quit the party. Earlier, Raaj Kumar Anand, who handled the portfolios of social welfare and labour, left the party in April to join the BJP, following Rajendra Pal Gautam's resignation in November 2022.

In addition, Gahlot also pointed to AAP’s unfulfilled promises, such as the failure to clean the Yamuna River, which remains heavily polluted. He argued that these unresolved issues, along with internal controversies, have undermined AAP’s ability to deliver essential services to Delhi's citizens.