With the Delhi Assembly elections 2025 approaching, the political scene in the capital is witnessing unexpected realignments that could significantly influence voter dynamics. In a surprising twist, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot announced his resignation from the party on November 17, delivering a critical blow to AAP’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced its own setback as Anil Jha, a two-term BJP MLA, crossed over to AAP, bolstering its ranks and amplifying its appeal.
Kailash Gehlot, one of AAP’s prominent figures and MLA from Najafgarh, announced his departure from AAP, attributing it to unresolved controversies and unmet commitments within the party.
Gehlot addressed a resignation letter to Delhi’s Chief Minister, Atishi, formally stepping down from his ministerial role effective immediately.
In an equally significant development, Anil Jha, a former BJP MLA from the Kirari constituency who served two terms (2008 and 2013), joined AAP.
During the induction event, Jha expressed his appreciation for AAP’s work, particularly for supporting underprivileged communities, including providing education, health, and security services to residents of slum areas with a high concentration of people from Purvanchal.
During an official event announcing his induction into AAP, Jha expressed that after over three decades of loyalty to BJP, he was drawn to AAP’s dedication to social justice and welfare.
AAP’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, personally welcomed Anil Jha into the party fold, expressing confidence in the contributions Jha’s experience would bring to AAP’s mission in Delhi. Kejriwal emphasized the alignment of Jha’s values with those of AAP. He said Jha’s induction would help strengthen the party’s outreach to communities that traditionally supported BJP.
These back-to-back political shifts set the stage for a potentially volatile 2025 Delhi Assembly election. Kailash Gehlot’s departure, a signal of possible discontent within AAP, may influence voter perceptions about the party’s cohesiveness and reliability. Conversely, Anil Jha’s crossover to AAP provides a boost, potentially enhancing the AAP’s resonance with demographics and constituencies traditionally aligned with BJP.
