After resigning from AAP and becoming a member of BJP, former transport minister Kailash Gahlot speaks to Gayathri Mani in regards to the challenges he confronted in AAP, his rapport with the Lieutenant Governor, and why he thinks AAP nationwide convener Arvind Kejriwal has modified as an individual.
As I discussed in my resignation letter, I left AAP had been on account of my disillusionment with the occasion’s core values, its failure to meet the guarantees it made to the folks, and lack of motion taken to deal with these guarantees. As I’ve been saying, the ideas and values for which we joined the occasion have begun to get eroded. These points progressively constructed up over time, and finally, the second got here to say goodbye.
Do different AAP leaders and employees additionally really feel the identical?
There are a number of employees and leaders within the occasion who really feel th identical, whether or not they’re small occasion employees, maintain a place within the occasion, an MLA, or a minister. I meant each phrase of the assertion I made on the BJP headquarters. The phrases could also be mine, however behind them are the voices of many individuals. Folks come collectively for a standard goal, and whenever you begin seeing every part unfold, it builds up over time.
Why BJP?
There may be nothing to say… My public life is like an open ebook… there may be nothing to cover… One can ask, ‘why did you be part of AAP first then’… So, you get impressed by few issues like what is occurring within the nation, which occasion is working in the correct route… You begin feeling it and you then take a name…
When did you final meet Kejriwal? Did you inform him about your resolution earlier than you stop?
He’s a really clever man, he is aware of every part. It’s not vital to fulfill, you simply have to speak and focus on… I’ve conveyed every part by means of my letter… Even when I had had a verbal dialog with him, the explanations (for quitting) would have been identical.
You known as your self Lord Hanuman, likening Kejriwal to Lord Ram.
Wherever I’m, I shall be that particular person’s and the occasion’s Hanuman and work… So, the that means of Hanuman is an individual who works silently.
You highlighted three issues – Sheesh Mahal, Yamuna cleansing and AAP transferring away from its core worth. These items aren’t new. Folks have resigned earlier citing comparable causes. Why now?
Such a giant resolution will not be taken in a single day. It takes time and a variety of braveness… You joined the occasion because the Anna Andolan days… So, it isn’t such as you simply awakened someday and determined.
Sheesh Mahal are phrases typically utilized by BJP to explain the CM’s official residence. What wrongs have been completed within the renovation and development of the home?
‘Sheesh Mahal’ is utilized by everybody now… No person calls it the previous CM’s residence or 6, Flag Employees Highway bungalow… Arvind Kejriwal has a distinct persona I feel… He’s not like some other CM and AAP was not shaped like some other occasion… These are the core values I’m speaking about… Jo taakat unki WagonR ke chalne mai thi aur jo unki taakat unki simplicity thi, wahin toh laakhon crore logon ko keech kar laayi saath mai (The power that his driving a WagonR and that of his simplicity had was what had introduced lakhs and crores of individuals along with him). However what we’re seeing at the moment within the newspapers, is it matching with that… So, Kejriwal will not be an aam aadmi anymore.
Numerous portfolios was taken away from you, after former deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested, and given to Atishi. Had been you upset?
See, portfolios retains altering… it’s your boss’s resolution… You’ve gotten come to politics to work for the folks and develop Delhi, not for any portfolio… Extra vital is how you’re performing within the departments you will have been given.
Which minister with 20 portfolios has carried out effectively? Do you assume a minister can carry out effectively with so many portfolios… These items aren’t for me to determine…The CM and the senior management decides…
How was your equation with CM Atishi? Had been you additionally thought-about for the CM put up?
Bahut badhiya hai… I don’t know (if I used to be thought-about).
Whereas your colleagues like Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj had been holding press conferences towards L-G, you by no means stated something brazenly towards Raj Niwas. Why?
As a result of I don’t consider in that type of politics. I consider in constructive politics. We’re right here to work for the folks or maintain press conferences day and night time… A minister or CM is holding three press conferences a day. The place is the time for governance?
You and L-G had been seen collectively at occasions… It has been stated in AAP that you just had a deal and he was your level particular person?
What sort of a deal… The speech I gave at Independence Day, whom did I reward, whom did I say is a contemporary freedom fighter? L-G or Arvind Kejriwal? Whom did I name the daddy of recent schooling? L-G? No, however Manish Sisodia. My whole speech was devoted to Arvind Kejriwal…
Even when I had a cope with the L-G, whose work I used to be doing? Whose insurance policies and visions was I taking ahead? L-G or Arvind Kejriwal?…
Premium bus coverage was very near Arvind Kejriwal’s coronary heart since 2015. The primary notification was quashed on the order of then L-G. Then there was tussle with the bureaucrats to take it ahead… However I took the coverage ahead… It was not the imaginative and prescient of Kailash Gahlot or L-G Sahab… It was Kejriwal’s imaginative and prescient. Deal would have been struck if I pushed BJP’s agenda as a minister of AAP.
Issues additionally appeared to vary between you and AAP when the L-G selected you to hoist the Nationwide Flag on August 15.
No, the CM (Kejriwal, who was then in jail) gave his consent… I had already stated ‘no’ to hoisting the flag… I accepted solely when Madam (Sunita) Kejriwal authorized… I informed her, ‘you speak to sir about this’… She stated, ‘there isn’t a drawback, if he (L-G) has picked you, then you need to do it’… She stated there isn’t a distinction between me and her (Atishi, who was chosen by Kejriwal to hoist the flag)…
AAP stated you resigned as you had been below strain from CBI and ED? What instances are you had been dealing with?
I don’t know what instances are pending towards me… you need to ask them.
Does BJP put strain on politicians utilizing ED and CBI?
I feel these are very subjective issues… Could also be you’ll be able to tolerate this a lot strain. However should you ask a weak particular person to carry a 100-kg weight and run, he would possibly collapse… However a robust wrestler would possibly run… So, why politics alone… strain is there in all places… in all professions and companies…
Are you saying BJP performs such type of politics?
No. I’m not saying they do it or not… I’m simply saying… in any occupation, there are a number of forms of pressures and challenges… It is dependent upon you, how you are taking it.
You’ve gotten criticised BJP earlier as an AAP chief. How are you going to face the folks now?
I didn’t steal something… So, we’ll face the folks boldly… Now, I’m in BJP, I’ll work laborious to make the occasion sturdy and type BJP authorities in Delhi… that’s the aim now. Whichever occasion you’re in, you’re employed with full honesty and loyalty… That is what our dharma says.
Was AAP planning to cancel your ticket for upcoming Delhi polls on account of anti-incumbency?
All these items preserve occurring… There have been a number of whose margin was decrease than me… It is rather hypothetical… such a stage didn’t arrive and can ever come… It’s unpredictable and nobody is aware of who shall be given a ticket…
As a BJP chief, why has the occasion struggled in Delhi?
The upcoming polls are going to be good for BJP… Time will inform. Folks vote for the occasion they like…
Will you be BJP’s CM face or contest from Najafgarh?
It’s as much as the occasion… Additionally, I don’t assume BJP publicizes any CM face…
Who was your closest pal within the AAP?
Arvind Kejriwal, everybody is aware of, it’s not a secret. I’ve good regards for him even at the moment… I don’t consider in that type of politics the place you say dangerous issues about them since you left the occasion… I’m not that type of particular person… I by no means cursed anybody within the occasion within the final 10 years.
However there are rumours that he has been upset with you for a very long time.
He by no means stated… neither did I ask him… You don’t query your boss, you simply observe his instructions… I don’t have any ailing will towards anybody…In my 10-year political profession, I did maintain grudge towards anybody… I’m nonetheless in speaking phrases with AAP leaders, MLAs… Every little thing needn’t be politicised.
Kejriwal claiming he’ll sit on the CM seat provided that declared harmless. Do you assume it will assist the occasion within the polls?
The folks will determine, in the event that they assume work has been completed, they may vote… AAP asks for vote on the idea on work it has completed… So, the general public will reply. They’ll determine who has been a superb CM and minister.
Within the final 5 years, Delhi has not seen any main work or coverage implementation? Why?
It is best to ask the one that introduced the Funds.
Former social welfare minister Raj Kumar Anand known as AAP ‘anti-dalit” whereas resigning? Do you agree?
If he’s saying than it have to be true, in any other case why would he say such issues.
As transport minister, you took a number of measures to curb air pollution. Had been there any motion you wished to take however couldn’t on account of strain from the occasion?
No, it wasn’t like that. Air pollution is a matter the place everybody ought to come collectively to discover a resolution. It shouldn’t be politicised, and the blame sport ought to cease.
