Kailash Gahlot resigns from Delhi MLA seat, cites AAP’s deviation from ethical values

Kailash Gahlot, a two-time MLA from West Delhi’s Najafgarh constituency, resigned as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on November 27, 2024, following his earlier resignation as Delhi’s Transport Minister and from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on November 17, 2024.

| Updated: 28 November, 2024 7:25 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Kailash Gahlot, a two-time MLA from West Delhi’s Najafgarh constituency, resigned as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on November 27, 2024, following his earlier resignation as Delhi’s 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. “I 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,” 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 “moral and ethical values,” which he cited as the primary reason for his decision to leave the party. He described the party’s new direction as “untenable,” making it impossible for him to continue his association.

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Earlier this month, on November 17, Gahlot had resigned as Delhi’s Transport Minister, expressing his growing disillusionment with the party’s internal dynamics. He followed this up by resigning from AAP’s 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 AAP’s grip on the Jat belt of outer Delhi, which is crucial to the party’s hold on the region. With the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 2025, Gahlot’s departure could impact AAP’s efforts in the outer Delhi constituencies, particularly the 25 seats in Delhi Dehat.

Gahlot’s move to the BJP is seen as a boost to the party’s campaign as it competes with AAP for control of Delhi’s 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 Gahlot’s resignation reflects his disenchantment with AAP, it also sheds light on the ongoing political competition in Delhi’s 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.

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