New Delhi, November 17: Delhi Minister Kailash Gehlot resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Delhi Cabinet on Sunday. His resignation, coming just months before the Assembly elections in February, has sparked a political war of words, with AAP convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the BJP-led Central government of pressuring Gehlot through Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax probes.
At a joint press conference to welcome Poorvanchali leader Anil Jha into AAP, Kejriwal hinted at a BJP conspiracy, alleging that Gehlot was coerced into quitting. “The BJP is misusing central agencies to slap false corruption charges on AAP leaders and prevent us from working for the people,” Kejriwal stated.
Meanwhile, Gehlot, a prominent Jat leader, cited corruption allegations and AAP's deviation from its founding principles as reasons for his resignation. In a letter to Kejriwal, he referred to controversies such as the alleged Rs 45 crore expenditure on renovating Kejriwal’s former Civil Lines residence, dubbed the "Sheeshmahal," as a source of embarrassment.
“These controversies make it difficult to remain committed to the ideals of AAP,” Gehlot wrote. He expressed regret over his inability to serve the people effectively within the party and announced his decision to resign from AAP's primary membership.
The resignation marks a significant setback for AAP, especially with elections around the corner, while also amplifying tensions between AAP and the BJP in Delhi's politically charged landscape.
