Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: In a significant political development, Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party on Sunday. Gahlot, who held key portfolios including Transport, Law, and Revenue in the Delhi government, cited controversies like the ‘Sheeshmahal’ episode and unfulfilled promises as reasons for stepping away.
Reasons Behind the Resignation
Gahlot expressed his discontent in a letter to AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, stating:
“There are many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the ‘Sheeshmahal’, which are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the Aam Aadmi.”
He criticized the party for prioritizing political ambitions over public service, which he argued has crippled the delivery of basic services in Delhi.
Highlighting the unfulfilled promise of cleaning the Yamuna River, Gahlot remarked,
“Take, for example, the Yamuna, which we had promised to transform into a clean river, but never got around to doing it. Now the river is perhaps even more polluted than ever before.”
Shift in Party’s Priorities
Accusing the party of shifting its focus, Gahlot stated:
“Instead of fighting for people’s rights, we have increasingly only been fighting for our own political agenda. Real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends the majority of its time fighting with the Centre.”
Despite resigning, Gahlot reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Delhi and emphasized that his political journey began with the mission of public service.
BJP’s Reaction
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva commended Gahlot’s decision, saying:
“Kailash Gahlot has held up a mirror to Arvind Kejriwal, making it clear that he does not want to be part of Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘lootera’ gang. He has taken a very courageous step, and we appreciate this.”
Legacy of Kailash Gahlot: ‘Sakhi Depot’ Initiative
Just a day before his resignation, Gahlot inaugurated the world’s first all-women bus depot, the ‘Sakhi Depot,’ at Sarojini Nagar.
“The ‘Sakhi Depot’ is not just a symbol of women empowerment but a testament to breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. This depot is just the beginning; we aim to establish many such depots across Delhi under the ‘Sakhi’ initiative,” Gahlot said at the event.
