BJP, Cong slam Kejri for Gahlot’s exit, AAP alleges ED pressure
Senior AAP leader and Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot’s resignation has triggered a political uproar, with AAP alleging coercion by central agencies and the Opposition raising fingers at AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal while accusing the AAP of internal unrest.
Reacting to Gahlot’s resignation, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said, “Pressure was created on Kailash Gahlot by conducting ED-CBI raids, and now he is speaking according to the script given to him by the BJP. The Modi Washing Machine has become active before the Delhi elections. Now many leaders will be inducted into the BJP through this machine,” Singh said.
Chief AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar echoed the sentiment, asserting that Gahlot’s resignation and likely defection to the BJP were attempts to avoid imprisonment. “Kailash Gahlot chose to join the BJP to escape ED and CBI investigations against him and his family,” she said.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal refused to comment on Gahlot’s resignation. When asked about the issue, he directed questions at Durgesh Pathak, AAP MLA, further fuelling speculation about internal unrest.
Pathak defended Kejriwal’s silence, stating, “The BJP is using the ED, CBI, and Income Tax to fight elections. Meanwhile, we are asking for votes in the name of the work we have done for the Delhi people. This resignation shows the BJP’s desperation.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Congress and BJP were quick to seize the opportunity to target Kejriwal and the AAP government. Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav suggested that Gahlot’s resignation indicated the existence of hidden truths. “Gahlot’s resignation shows he has secrets that Arvind Kejriwal doesn’t want exposed. Kejriwal is dodging questions because he is scared of what Gahlot might reveal,” Yadav said.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised Kejriwal’s reaction to the resignation, stating, “Resignations are not uncommon in politics, but the questions raised by Kailash Gahlot in his letter demand answers from Kejriwal. Instead of addressing the concerns, he threw the microphone. This shows his unethical behaviour.”
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari called Gahlot’s resignation a “death knell” for AAP. “With the resignation of Kailash Gahlot, AAP is finished. He was one of the top three leaders in the party and held an important ministry. His resignation endorses what all of Delhi already alleges — that AAP has no intention of serving the state. Many others in AAP are now likely considering leaving the party,” Tiwari said.
