'AAP ignored principles, led to disillusionment'

Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot recently resigned from his post and from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the grounds that political ambitions have supplanted the AAP's commitment to the people. He subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

- Alok KN Mishra

In an interview with Alok KN Mishra, he spoke about the decision and its timing. Edited excerpts:

When Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain (both ministers) went to jail, you handled several key departments of the Delhi government. You also presented the 2023 budget. Just over a year later, you have left the party. What happened?

I have explained the reasons in the (resignation) letter I wrote to Arvind Kejriwal. There was a dilution in the core values of the party, we could not deliver on the promises we made to the people, and the government was not taking concrete steps towards fulfilling the promises it made. The principles which drew me and others to the AAP have been ignored. It (disillusionment) kept building slowly.

Are there more leaders in AAP who share your feelings?

The words (about party diverting from core values) are mine but the words carry the voice of a large number of people (in the AAP).

Did you ever try to talk to Kejriwal about this?