Kailash Gahlot, the Transport Minister of Delhi, has stepped down from his ministerial role. Alongside his resignation from the ministry, Kailash wrote a letter to Arvind Kejriwal, resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party's primary membership. Prior to Kailash, several leaders, including another minister from the Delhi government, had left the party earlier this year. Since the last election, the list of leaders departing from AAP has grown even longer. Let's take a look at some of these leaders.
Kailash Gahlot
Up until a day ago, Kailash was among the oldest members and a strong minister in Arvind Kejriwal's government. First elected on an AAP ticket in 2015, he has handled significant departments like Transport and Finance. After Manish Sisodia's imprisonment, Kailash presented Delhi's budget for 2023-24. He was also considered for the CM post after Kejriwal's resignation. However, he lagged behind Atishi in the race and has now exited both his ministerial role and the AAP.
Rajendra Pal Gautam
Just a few months before Kailash’s departure, former minister Rajendra Pal Gautam also resigned from AAP’s primary membership in the first week of September. As one of AAP's prominent Dalit faces in Delhi, Gautam was elected from the Seemapuri constituency in the 2020 legislative elections. After leaving AAP, he joined the Congress party.
Rajkumar Anand
Once part of Arvind Kejriwal's cabinet, minister Rajkumar Anand left AAP before the Lok Sabha elections. He resigned while Kejriwal was imprisoned and later joined the BJP in April. A Dalit leader, Rajkumar had contested the legislative elections on a BSP ticket but was defeated.
Kartar Singh Tanwar
Elected from Chhatarpur in the 2020 Delhi elections, Kartar Singh Tanwar recently left AAP and joined BJP. The legislative speaker deemed him ineligible under anti-defection laws. Following Rajkumar, Rajendra Pal Gautam, and Kartar Singh, Kailash Gahlot has also exited. Among these personalities, two are Dalit leaders, underlining a significant shift since Dalits have been AAP's core voters in Delhi.
Swati Maliwal's Rebellion
Apart from the departing leaders, former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, has been openly rebellious against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP. After Kejriwal's release on bail, Swati met him at the CM house, where an alleged altercation occurred. Ever since, she has been vocally critical of both Kejriwal and AAP, inside and outside of Parliament.
Impact Before Elections
The departure of four leaders and one showcasing rebellious stances in the year before the Delhi Assembly elections is a major blow for AAP. The opposition BJP has been targeting AAP over corruption—a cornerstone of AAP's original political journey as a party built on anti-corruption ideals. Whether it’s the accusations from departing leaders or Swati Maliwal's harsh criticism, these narratives align closely with opposition lines, potentially creating hurdles for AAP in the upcoming elections.
