“Promises unfulfilled”: Kailash Gahlot resigns from AAP, cites leadership and Yamuna pollution failures

Kailash Gahlot, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Transport Minister in the Delhi government, has resigned, citing unaddressed issues and the party’s internal struggles. His resignation comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, and it marks a significant shift in Delhi politics. Gahlot, who has held key positions in the Delhi government, expressed dissatisfaction with AAP's failure to fulfill its promises and pointed out several ongoing internal issues that have impacted the party's performance.

In his resignation letter, Gahlot pointed to the party’s long-standing pledge to clean the Yamuna River as a major unfulfilled promise. He criticized the lack of progress in addressing the serious pollution in the river, stating, “The Yamuna River is perhaps even more polluted than ever before.” Despite AAP's repeated assurances and announcements regarding measures to clean the river, Gahlot expressed frustration with the continued state of neglect and the absence of effective action.

Additionally, Gahlot mentioned the controversial “Sheeshmahal” issue, which has recently been a subject of public debate. The controversy centers around the construction of a lavish government guesthouse, which has raised questions about the use of taxpayer money. Gahlot highlighted this issue as an example of the party's inability to maintain transparency and commitment to its foundational principles, which he argued has eroded the party’s credibility among Delhi’s residents.

Internal party discord was another key factor that led to Gahlot’s resignation. He voiced concerns about the increasing focus on political power struggles within the party, which he believes have detracted from its original mission to serve the people. “Instead of fighting for people's rights, we have increasingly only been fighting for our own political agenda,” Gahlot wrote, emphasizing how political ambitions have overshadowed the welfare of citizens. This shift in priorities, according to Gahlot, has hindered the AAP from effectively addressing crucial issues such as healthcare, education, and urban infrastructure.

Gahlot also criticized the growing political conflict between the Delhi state government and the central government, which he believes has created an atmosphere of dysfunction. He noted that the constant tension between the two governments has detracted from the focus on governance and progress for Delhi's residents. Gahlot emphasized that real change can only occur when governance is prioritized over political battles, which he felt had become a distraction for the AAP leadership.

In his resignation, Gahlot made it clear that his decision was not an abandonment of his commitment to Delhi's people but rather a response to the inability of the AAP leadership to uphold the party's promises. “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,” he concluded, signaling his intention to continue public service outside the AAP framework.