Delhi: Kailash Gahlot joins BJP a day after quitting AAP | Latest News Delhi

BJP leaders, including Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Harsh Malhotra, and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, welcomed Gahlot to the party. In response, AAP leader and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Gahlot is free to join any party. »

Gahlot joined the BJP at its national headquarters on DDU Marg. “Former minister Kailash Gahlot has joined the BJP. This is a turning point in Delhi politics as a senior minister of the Delhi government has joined the BJP. I am sure you must have seen the work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP before taking the decision to join us. I welcome you to the party,” Khattar said.

Gahlot explains why he changed

During the joining ceremony, Gahlot responded to AAP’s allegations that he joined the BJP because he was under pressure from the central investigating agencies. “Some people may think I made this decision overnight or under pressure. I would like to clarify that I did not make any decision based on pressure. A false narrative is being constructed and there is no pressure from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” he added.

“I wanted to serve the people of Delhi, but we could see that the values ​​for which we joined the AAP were being compromised before our eyes. The aam aadmi have become khaas… I have discussed the reasons for stopping at length in my letter,” he said.

Gahlot, in his resignation letter to Kejriwal on Sunday, had cited “the serious challenges the party is facing from within”, the “embarrassing controversies” he is involved in and the “broken promises” made by the party .

On Monday, Gahlot said that if the Delhi government continues to constantly fight with the central government, the city will not be able to develop. “We must maintain good relations with the central government,” he added.

Gahlot’s experience will help: BJP

Gahlot, a popular Jat leader from Najafgarh, held many important departments such as transport, housing, administrative reforms, women and child development and information technology in the Delhi government. Gahlot is the second cabinet member of the Delhi government to quit the party.

Gahlot, 50, was first elected as MP from Najafgarh in 2015. He retained his seat in 2020. Rumors of differences between Gahlot and the AAP have gained ground since August following the controversy over the raising the flag during the official ceremony on August 15. he was still the chief minister of Delhi and was in jail in connection with the excise policy case, had appointed Atishi to hoist the flat during the state’s Independence Day ceremony. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena rejected the proposal on August 13 and appointed Gahlot to unfurl the tricolor.

Gahlot’s resignation from the AAP and joining the BJP is likely to have an impact on the party, just months before the Delhi assembly elections.

Baijayant Panda, BJP MP from Odisha and national vice-president of the party, who is also in charge of elections in Delhi, said, “Gahlot’s joining us proves the loss of faith in the AAP, which has not delivered on its promises over the past decade. » Panda criticized the AAP’s governance, particularly on issues such as the Yamuna cleanup and the Ayushman Bharat project.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva called Gahlot an important leader, known for his work among the youth and rural communities. “His experience will be crucial for the BJP in future,” Sachdeva said.

Meanwhile, the AAP on Monday said Gahlot was free to join any party. Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, “Gahlot was with us for a long time. He has now decided to work with the BJP. I wish him all the best. If he says he moved without any pressure, I don’t want to say anything more. He stayed with us for 10 years without pressure… People of Delhi love Kejriwal.

On Sunday, the AAP alleged that Gahlot was under pressure from agencies of the BJP-led central government. In a statement, a party spokesperson said: “There have been numerous Income Tax and ED cases against Gahlot and multiple raids have been carried out by these agencies. He had no choice but to join the BJP. This is a conspiracy by the BJP to win the elections in Delhi with the help of central agencies.”