Ahead of Assembly elections, Transport Minister leaves AAP

In a major political setback to the Delhi Government ahead of Assembly elections, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has tendered his resignation from the party’s primary membership and the Council of Ministers. Gahlot cited unfulfilled promises, controversies and a deviation from the party’s original ideals as the primary reasons for his departure. Chief Minister Atishi has accepted his resignation

The two-time MLA from Najafgarh, who held several key portfolios in the Delhi government, announced his decision on Sunday in a letter addressed to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. He later made the resignation public through a post on X (formerly Twitter), thanking his supporters for their trust.

Expressing his disappointment, Gahlot said the AAP has shifted from its founding principles of prioritising the needs of the common man. “Let me start by sincerely thanking you for giving me the honour of serving and representing the people of Delhi as an MLA and Minister. However, today the Aam Aadmi Party faces grave challenges,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

Was Left with no option

I had started my political journey with the commitment to serve the people of Delhi, and I want to continue doing that, which is why I find myself left with no option but to step away from Aam Aadmi Party. Hence, I resign from the primary membership of the AAP. — Kailash Gahlot, Delhi Transport Minister

Highlighting the party’s inability to fulfil key election promises, Gahlot pointed to the unachieved goal of cleaning the Yamuna River, which was a major electoral commitment. “We had promised to transform the Yamuna into a clean river, but that commitment remains unfulfilled. In fact, the river is perhaps even more polluted than before,” he stated.

Gahlot also criticised recent controversies that have tarnished the party’s image, particularly the renovation of the Chief Minister’s official residence, widely referred to as ‘Sheesh Mahal.’ “There are now many embarrassing

and awkward controversies like ‘Sheesh Mahal,’ which make everyone question whether we still believe in being the Aam Aadmi,” he said, referring to the party’s slogan of representing the common man.

In his resignation letter, Gahlot expressed frustration over the ongoing conflict between the Delhi government and the central government, which he believes has hindered the city’s development. “Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment to the people. It is now obvious that real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi government spends the majority of its time fighting with the Centre instead of focusing on basic services,” he wrote.

In his concluding remarks in the letter, Gahlot expressed his desire to continue serving the people of Delhi but outside the AAP framework. “I had started my political journey with the commitment to serve the people of Delhi, and I want to continue doing that. Which is why I find myself left with no option but to step away from AAP. Hence, I resign from the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party,” he wrote.

Over the years, Gahlot held crucial portfolios, including transport, revenue, administrative reforms, information and technology, and women and child development. He is credited with spearheading several transformative initiatives, including the Pink Pass Scheme for free bus travel for women, the Mukhyamantri Tirath Yatra Yojna, and the Electric Vehicle Policy, which positioned Delhi as a leader in green mobility.

Gahlot also helmed efforts to improve public transport, introducing women bus drivers, enhancing bus safety through marshals, and implementing hi-tech security systems for women passengers. He presented Delhi’s Budget in 2023 when he was given the finance portfolio after the arrest of then-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Two-time MLA from Najafgarh

• He joined AAP as a founding member and rose to prominence by winning the Najafgarh constituency twice.
• Held crucial portfolios, including transport, revenue, administrative reforms, information and technology, and women and child development.
• Spearheaded several transformative initiatives, including the Pink Pass Scheme, Mukhyamantri Tirath Yatra Yojna, Electric Vehicle Policy
• Gahlot also helmed efforts to improve public transport, introducing women bus drivers, enhancing bus safety through marshals
• He presented Delhi’s Budget in 2023 when he was given the finance portfolio after the arrest of then Dy CM Manish Sisodia