NEW DELHI: Kailash Gahlot, a two-time MLA from West Delhiโs Najafgarh constituency, resigned as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on November 27, 2024, following his earlier resignation as Delhiโs Transport Minister and from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on November 17, 2024.
In his resignation letter addressed to Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Gahlot expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the direction the AAP has taken. โI had resigned as a Minister of Delhi on November 17, and the same day, I had also resigned from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party. I hereby now tender my resignation from the Legislative Assembly of Delhi,โ Gahlot wrote. He further requested that his resignation be accepted immediately.
Gahlot, who had represented the Najafgarh constituency, reiterated his belief that AAP had deviated from its original โmoral and ethical values,โ which he cited as the primary reason for his decision to leave the party. He described the partyโs new direction as โuntenable,โ making it impossible for him to continue his association.
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Earlier this month, on November 17, Gahlot had resigned as Delhiโs Transport Minister, expressing his growing disillusionment with the partyโs internal dynamics. He followed this up by resigning from AAPโs primary membership and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the very next day.
His departure marks a significant loss for AAP, especially as Gahlot was one of its key leaders in rural Delhi. His exit raises concerns about AAPโs grip on the Jat belt of outer Delhi, which is crucial to the partyโs hold on the region. With the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 2025, Gahlotโs departure could impact AAPโs efforts in the outer Delhi constituencies, particularly the 25 seats in Delhi Dehat.
Gahlotโs move to the BJP is seen as a boost to the partyโs campaign as it competes with AAP for control of Delhiโs rural areas. The BJP, already a strong contender in the upcoming polls, is now likely to gain traction in areas where Gahlot had significant influence.
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While Gahlotโs resignation reflects his disenchantment with AAP, it also sheds light on the ongoing political competition in Delhiโs rural segments, which will be closely watched in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
This development not only signals political shifts within the city but also highlights the growing fragmentation in local politics as the February elections approach.
