In a major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), senior leader and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has resigned just months before the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Gahlot, a veteran leader with significant influence in the party, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Delhi but also criticized the party’s inability to deliver on key promises.
In his resignation letter, Gahlot pointed to the party’s failure to address crucial issues, particularly the cleanup of the Yamuna River, a promise that remains unfulfilled despite repeated pledges. “The Yamuna is perhaps even more polluted than it was before. The promise to transform it into a clean river has not been realized,” Gahlot wrote, underscoring the gap between AAP’s promises and its actions.
The resignation also highlights broader concerns about the party’s direction. Gahlot cited internal conflicts and the growing dominance of political ambitions over the party’s original ideals of serving the common people. He also referenced the “Sheeshmahal” controversy, which has further undermined public trust in the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability. “Embarrassing controversies like the Sheeshmahal issue are causing the public to question whether we still hold true to the values that the AAP was founded on,” he added.
In addition to his resignation as a minister, Gahlot also stepped down from the primary membership of the AAP in a separate letter to party convener Arvind Kejriwal, which was shared publicly on social media. He explained that his decision to leave was driven by his desire to continue serving the people of Delhi, but with growing frustration at the party’s inability to fulfill its promises and the ongoing conflict with the central government.”
I had started my political journey with the intention to serve the people of Delhi, and I want to continue doing that. But under the current direction of AAP, I find myself unable to reconcile my commitment to the party’s vision with its present course,” Gahlot concluded.
The resignation of such a senior leader is expected to have a significant impact on the AAP, particularly as Delhi approaches its next assembly election. Gahlot’s departure signals deepening internal turmoil within the party, as it grapples with growing public dissatisfaction and mounting challenges in delivering on its pledges to the electorate.
