Former Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot joined BJP on Monday a day after resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party. Gahlot joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Harsh Malhotra, Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva and national media head Anil Baluni.
Addressing the media, Gahlot said efforts are being made to build a false narrative that his decision to quit the AAP was the result of ED and CBI pressure. "The fact is that the AAP compromised its values," he said. Gahlot said it was his decision to join the BJP and he did not take the step under anyone's pressure.
Gahlot, who held the Transport portfolio in the Delhi government, on Sunday alleged "political ambitions" have overtaken AAP's commitment towards people. In his resignation to AAP convener Arvind Kejriw, Galot said, "Instead of fighting for people's rights we have increasingly only been fighting for our own political agenda."
Khattar described Gahlot's joining as a turning point in the politics of the national capital. The BJP is hopeful that Gahlot's induction into the party will boost its prospects in the upcoming assembly polls as it looks to wrest power from the AAP.
Gahlot, a prominent face of the AAP, also took a jab at Kejriwal as he flagged some awkward and embarrassing controversies like 'sheeshmahal', saying it makes everyone doubt if we still believe in being the 'Aam Aadmi'.The AAP had claimed that Gahlot's decision was influenced by cases being probed against him by central agencies.
Gahlot Is Free, Can Go Wherever He Wants: Kejriwal
Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal responded to speculation regarding Gahlot joining BJP. "He is free, he can go wherever he wants," Kejriwal said.