Kailash Gahlot, Delhi’s Transport Minister and a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), resigned earlier today, citing the "awkward" and "embarrassing" controversies surrounding the party. His resignation, which came just months before the Delhi Assembly elections in February 2024, has shocked the political landscape and sparked speculation about the reasons behind his departure.
Gahlot, who represents Najafgarh in the Delhi Assembly and has been a close ally of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, served in multiple important portfolios, including Home, Administrative Reforms, IT, and Women and Child Development. Following his resignation, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accepted his departure from the council of ministers.
The AAP has alleged that Gahlot’s resignation was prompted by multiple ongoing investigations into his conduct. He is reportedly facing cases from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), particularly related to corruption charges. The party insinuated that Gahlot’s resignation may be a precursor to his move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though this has not been confirmed.
Gahlot’s exit comes at a time of heightened political tension in Delhi, particularly with the AAP gearing up for the upcoming elections. His departure has raised questions about the timing and potential political motivations behind it. Gahlot had recently been in the public eye, notably when he was chosen by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena to hoist the national flag during this year’s Independence Day celebrations. This decision had drawn attention, especially since Kejriwal had initially recommended Atishi for the honor.
The resignation also comes in the context of Gahlot's increasingly cordial relationship with the Lieutenant Governor’s office, a significant departure from the traditionally strained ties between the AAP government and the LG. While most AAP ministers have avoided meetings with the LG, Gahlot had maintained a working rapport with Saxena, even when other senior AAP leaders were embroiled in legal battles.
Further fueling speculation about his potential shift to the BJP is the party's relative silence regarding Gahlot compared to its frequent attacks on other AAP leaders. This, along with Gahlot’s visible participation in key government functions, suggests that his resignation may be part of a broader political strategy.
Gahlot has also been under scrutiny for his role in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus procurement scandal, which involved allegations of financial irregularities in a Rs 4,500 crore contract for the maintenance of 1,000 buses. Additionally, his name appeared in the Delhi liquor policy case, in which he had worked alongside other AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. He was questioned in connection to this case in March 2024.
Given the ongoing investigations and the timing of his resignation, Gahlot’s next steps could have significant implications for the political dynamics in Delhi, especially with the upcoming Assembly elections.
