Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot resigned due to ED-CBI, says AAP; BJP calls it politics of character assassination

Calling his resignation a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “dirty politics”, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said: “Pressure was created on Gahlot by conducting ED-CBI raids, and now he is speaking according to the script given to him by the BJP. The Modi ‘Washing Machine’ has become active before the Delhi elections. Now many leaders will be inducted into the BJP through this machine.”

He added, “This is all the BJP’s script. Whatever kind of script they make and whatever conspiracy they have hatched against Kailash Gahlot, he will have to speak in the same way.”

Gahlot did not respond to calls or messages.

The BJP, meanwhile, said it was “shameful” that whenever an AAP leader quits, the party claims they left under the pressure of the ED or due to greed and personal gain.

“The politics of Arvind Kejriwal’s team is based on character assassination and opportunism. Between 2010 and 2012, their politics of character assassination first targeted the Congress… then they labelled people like Lalu Yadav and Sharad Pawar as corrupt, but today, these same individuals are considered role models…,” said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.

“Now, team Kejriwal uses the same politics of character assassination against every leader who leaves their party or questions them,” Sachdeva added.

Here’s a look at the inquiries against Gahlot:

ED questioning: Gahlot came under the ED lens in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and was questioned in March this year. According to the ED, AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair, who was earlier arrested in the case, allegedly stayed in an official bungalow allotted in Gahlot’s name near Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence. The ED claimed Nair was the key link with the ‘South Group’ – liquor business owners from South India who allegedly benefited from the new policy. After the ED questioning, Gahlot had said: “The house where Vijay Nair was staying is certainly allotted in my name but till this day, like before, I stay at my private residence in Vasant Kunj. I never shifted or stayed at the bungalow allotted in my name in Civil Lines.”

DTC bus ‘scam’: In 2021, the BJP alleged irregularities in the contracts given for the maintenance of 1,000 low-floor air-conditioned buses. A committee formed by then Lt Governor Anil Baijal had flagged various lapses. Following the committee’s report, the MHA recommended a preliminary enquiry by CBI. Gahlot held the Transport Minister portfolio.

IT raids: In 2018, the IT department conducted raids at around 16 places linked to Gahlot and his family including offices and residences in Defence Colony, Najafgarh, Laxmi Nagar and Gurgaon.