New Delhi: The resignation by Delhi social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam on Sunday was a strategic transfer by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sources have stated, because the Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP) was struggling to douse the political controversy triggered by a non secular conversion occasion the minister attended final week.
In keeping with these within the know, eradicating Gautam sends a powerful message that AAP will not be within the area of caste and communal politics.
It will assist the social gathering within the upcoming Gujarat elections, leaders felt, in addition to reinforce its “good governance” grasp plan within the social gathering’s nationwide enlargement.
Furthermore, this may also blunt the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) cost that the AAP authorities in Punjab has did not curb mass spiritual conversions.
An AAP nationwide govt member stated: “We can’t get into the area of caste and communal politics. It’s the BJP’s area. Taking any stand on such issues can backfire. Staying away from caste politics at this stage is extraordinarily essential for us forward of the Gujarat polls and within the gentle of the AAP’s nationwide enlargement plan.”
Gujarat, together with Himachal Pradesh, are going to polls later this yr. The AAP is contesting in each the states. Apart from that, the social gathering’s nationwide enlargement plan consists of a number of different states similar to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, which go to polls subsequent yr.
Two different senior AAP functionaries advised ThePrint that the RSS has the social gathering in its cross hairs over Dalit conversions and that this might change into a much bigger downside in future.
One in all them stated: “Conversion amongst Dalits in sure belts of Punjab has been taking place for years now. At this level, the RSS is attempting to create a powerful foothold in Punjab, and is subsequently raking up the problem. The RSS has continually attacked AAP over this ever because it got here to energy in March. This could flip into a much bigger downside within the time to come back.”
The AAP, nonetheless, has thus far not issued any official assertion on the controversy surrounding Gautam.
Gautam participated in an occasion in central Delhi’s Karol Bagh on 5 October during which a gathering of individuals purportedly took oath to boycott Hindu deities and embraced Buddhism – thus, triggering a political row.
The Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) has since accused the AAP of injuring the spiritual sentiments of Hindus.
In keeping with social gathering sources, Arvind Kejriwal met Gautam on Friday and strongly expressed his displeasure over the problem.
The Delhi Cupboard has room for seven ministers, of which one is reserved for an MLA representing communities beneath the scheduled caste or scheduled tribe classes. Gautam represents Dalits and is probably to get replaced by one other MLA from the identical neighborhood, a senior AAP functionary stated.
Nonetheless, with the newest transfer, the AAP is looking at one other query: What if this transfer chips away at its Dalit help in poll-bound states?
“We have now assessed such eventualities up to now whereas holding a secure distance from spiritual points. Our thought is to create a separate area that’s based mostly on growth, welfare, jobs, higher dwelling, and so on. That’s what we expect primarily issues to folks,” the senior chief stated.
Additionally learn: AAP minister Rajendra Pal Gautam resigns after row over him allegedly denouncing Hindu deities