Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot Quits AAP, 'Sheeshmahal' Jab Is Parting Shot

In a massive setback to Aam Aadmi Party months ahead of Delhi Assembly polls, senior minister and long-term party leader Kailash Gahlot has resigned. Sources said he is likely to join the BJP. Mr Gahlot was in charge of key portfolios in the Delhi government, including Home, transport, IT and Women and Child Development. Chief Minister Atishi has accepted Mr Gahlot's resignation.

In his resignation letter addressed to party convener Arvind Kejriwal, the 50-year-old leader has pointed to "grave challenges" AAP is facing from within. "Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people, leaving many promises unfulfilled. Take for example the Yamuna, which we had promised to transform into a clean river, but never got around to doing it. Now the Yamuna River is perhaps even more polluted than ever before," he has said.

In an apparent swipe at Mr Kejriwal, he has referred to "many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the "Sheeshmahal" -- a term used by the BJP to refer to the Chief Minister's residence renovated during Mr Kejriwal's term. Mr Gahlot has said such controversies "are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the Aam Aadmi".

READ: Kailash Gahlot: 5 Facts About Delhi Minister Who Has Quit AAP

Mr Gahlot's mention of the 'Sheeshmahal' row is significant. The controversy surrounding the whopping expenditure of about Rs 45 crore on renovating the Chief Minister's residence has repeatedly been raised by the BJP to hit out at AAP's 'Aam Aadmi' plank. The AAP has maintained that the Chief Minister's residence was built in 1942 and needed a complete overhaul. They have also said it was the Public Works Department that recommended the changes.

Mr Gahlot said AAP has been "fighting for own political agenda" and this has "severely crippled our ability to even deliver basic services to the people of Delhi". "It is now obvious that real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends majority of its time fighting with the Centre," he has said.

"I had started my political journey with the commitment to serve the people of Delhi and I want to continue doing that. Which is why, I fed myself left with no option but to step away from AAP and hence I resign from primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party. I wish you the best for your health and future," he has written before signing off.

A lawyer, Mr Gahlot represents the Nazafgarh Assembly constituency. He has been a cabinet minister since 2015. Following former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's arrest in a corruption case last year, he had also handled the important finance portfolio.

The BJP was quick to respond to Mr Gahlot's announcement. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Mr Gahlot has detailed how "Aam Aadmi Party has become Khaas (special) Aadmi Party". "They have broken all promises they made to people. AAP has become Arvind Aadmi Party. Their leader has exposed them."

Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said Mr Gahlot had taken a "bold step". "I congratulate him. This proves that even people in Arvind Kejriwal's party believe that he has misused Delhi taxpayers' money for Sheeshmahal. No honest person who loves Delhi will work with the robbers' gang led by Arvind Kejriwal," he said. Mr Sachdeva added that the party will welcome Mr Gahlot if he wants to join BJP.    

The exit of a senior minister such as Kailash Gahlot, given that AAP had entrusted him with key portfolios such as Home and Finance, is a big blow ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, due early next year. Mr Kejriwal has stepped down as Chief Minister after the Supreme Court granted him bail following his arrest in a corruption case. He has said he will take up the Chief Minister's role only after the "people's verdict". Ms Atishi has now taken over as Chief Minister.