Ex-min. Gehlot joins BJP
A Jat leader from outer Delhi, Mr Raghuvinder Shokeen has served as MLA for two terms and prior to that he was also elected as a councillor on two occasions.
There is, however, no clarity on the portfolios which might be allocated to the new entrant. A senior AAP leader said there are chances he may get charge of the departments held by Mr Gahlot and could be entrusted with the execution of the Mahila Samman Rashi scheme before the Assembly polls.
The announcement about Mr Shokeen’s induction in the cabinet came at a press conference, where former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the decision was taken by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
Mr Shokeen said the AAP has always taken all communities together. He said: “First of all, I want to thank all senior leaders of the party, including Mr Kejriwal and Mr Sisodia, that they have given me this opportunity. The AAP has always taken all communities together, while the BJP has always worked against Jats, be it farmers’ protests, wrestlers’ issue or the Haryana election.”
On Mr Gahlot’s induction into the BJP, Mr Sisodia said: “It is up to him. He has been with us for a long time. If he wants to work with the BJP, that is his decision.”
Mr Gahlot, a prominent face of the AAP, has reportedly been promised a ticket by the BJP from Najafgarh constituency for the coming elections. At the BJP office, Mr Khattar described his induction as a “turning point” in the politics of the national capital.
The BJP is hopeful that Mr Gahlot’s entry into the party will boost its prospects in the Assembly polls as it looks to wrest power from the AAP. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said Mr Gahlot, a two-term MLA and an advocate, is a leader known for his good work.
“This is not an easy step for me… I have been a part of the AAP since the time of Anna Hazare (anti-corruption activist whose popular movement birthed the AAP) and have worked for Delhi throughout... as MLA and minister,” Mr Gahlot said in his first comments after joining the BJP.
“Some may think this is an overnight decision... or due to pressure. But I want to tell them I haven't ever taken any decision due to pressure,” Mr Gahlot told reporters, firmly rejecting speculation that the move was the result of some “pressure” from the Central investigative agencies.
“There is a narrative that I did this due to Central Bureau of Investigation or Enforcement Directorate pressure. I want to tell them (his critics) ... since 2015, as an AAP member. as MLA, and as a minister… I have never done anything due to pressure,” Mr Gahlot said, hitting out at his former party.
“The fact is, the AAP compromised its values,” he declared, claiming “political ambitions” (seen as a swipe at talk of Mr Kejriwal as Prime Minister) had overtaken its commitment to the people.
Mr Gahlot was referring to repeated claims by the AAP and other Opposition parties -- that the BJP uses Central probe agencies, like the CBI or ED, to harass and intimidate rival political leaders, particularly before an election, to either destabilise or discredit and pick up extra votes.
The BJP has rubbished this claim, arguing that the CBI and ED are independent agencies. Mr Gahlot was also hitting back at former colleagues who claimed he had succumbed to that “pressure”. He attributed his resignation decision to the “dwindling credibility” of the AAP on various issues.