Kailash Gahlot Rebuts AAP's 'Conspiracy' Charge After Joining BJP: 'No Pressure On Me'

Last Updated:November 18, 2024, 13:24 IST

Former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP on November 18, ending a day of speculation about his next political move after resignation.

Ex-AAP leader Kailash Gahlot joins BJP | Image/PTI

Former Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, who resigned from the party on November 17, joined the BJP this afternoon and said this political move was “not taken under any pressure".

The remark came after AAP alleged that Gahlot had “no option" but to leave the party as he came under pressure after Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax raids, which were held against him many times in the last five years.

“I have joined BJP today. This was not an easy decision for me. I have been working for AAP and the people of Delhi since Anna Hazare’s time. Some may think that I made this decision under pressure, but I want to clarify that I have never done anything under anyone’s pressure," Gahlot remarked.

Ending a day of speculation about his next political move, the Najafgarh MLA joined the party in the presence of former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and other top leaders.

Kejriwal Reacts To Gahlot’s Exit

Kejriwal on Monday broke his silence on the resignation of party leader Gahlot, saying “He is free, he can go wherever he wants." The remarks came during a press briefing where Congress leader and former MLA Sumesh Shokeen joined the AAP.

The AAP, which faced a major jolt ahead of the Delhi Assembly election next year, accused the BJP of “conspiring against their leaders" by putting them under pressure using central probe agencies.

AAP Finds Gahlot’s Replacement

AAP announced that Raghuvinder Shokeen, the MLA from Nangloi Jat, will now be added to the Delhi Cabinet replacing Gahlot, who held several portfolios, including Transport, Administrative Reforms, Information & Technology, Home and Women & Child Development.

Gahlot, once a close aide of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, resigned from the council of ministers yesterday with immediate effect. Later, Delhi CM Atishi accepted his resignation.

AAP Alleges Agency Pressure

After Gahlot resigned from the party, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, “Kailash Gahlot has been raided by the ED, Income Tax many times. He was part of the government for five years, and the BJP was continuously conspiring against him, he was left with no other option but to go with the BJP."

Gahlot submitted his resignation from AAP to Kejriwal, stating that he had ‘no option’ but to step down due to the “embarrassing and awkward controversies" linked to the party.

Last year, then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was accused of “spending Rs 45 crore" on the renovation of his official residence, which the BJP named as ‘Sheesh Mahal" in an apparent jibe.

The Najafgarh MLA, Gahlot, referred to the “Sheesh Mahal" controversy and said that it has made everyone doubt whether they still believe in being Aam Aadmi (Common Man).

Gahlot’s exit comes weeks after party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal turned rebel, although she remains an MP from the party. The assembly polls are due in Delhi in the next few weeks as the term of the current assembly will end in February 2025.

Delhi, India

News politics Kailash Gahlot Rebuts AAP's 'Conspiracy' Charge After Joining BJP: 'No Pressure On Me'