Knives out in Aam Aadmi Party game of thrones, division deepens ahead of national executive meet

Talks were on late Tuesday night in the party to decide the fate of Yadav and Bhushan. An AAP source indicated that despite the harsh words against Bhushan, the leadership is still open to “some form of a reconciliation with him but not Yadav”.

(Also read: To target Yogendra Yadav, critics in party play tape of call with journalist)

Kejriwal signalled he could skip the national executive meeting — unwell, he plans to leave for Bangalore on Thursday for naturopathic treatment — while Bhushan, though under fire, may attend.

The odds are heavily stacked against Bhushan and Yadav since the Wednesday meeting will be limited to 27 voting members of the national executive where Kejriwal’s supporters are in a majority. AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said: “There are 21 members of the national executive and six state representatives.”

The executive has the powers to elect and change the political affairs committee which has Bhushan and Yadav as its members.Last week, Kejriwal had offered to step down as national convenor of the party but the executive rejected it.

I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party. This is betrayal of trust that Delhi posed in us(1/2)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 3, 2015

I refuse to be drawn in this ugly battle.Will concentrate only on Delhi’s governance.जनता के भरोसे को किसी भी हालत में टूटने नहीं दूंगा(2/2)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 3, 2015

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As the differences within came out in the open, Kejriwal broke his silence Tuesday to tweet: “I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party. This is betrayal of trust that Delhi posed in us. I refuse to be drawn in this ugly battle. Will concentrate only on Delhi’s governance. Will not allow public trust to be broken under any circumstances.”

AAP senior Shanti Bhushan, father of Prashant Bhushan, made conciliatory noises: “Differences in the party are not right. Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav should support Kejriwal.”

(Also read: AAP’s implosion: Gathering storm)

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But his son told NDTV that he had not spoken to Kejriwal in several days and “I feel we have to be absolutely firm on our ethical principles but Arvind differs at times and says we need to make certain compromises in politics.”

AAP leaders hit back at the Bhushans. Ashish Khetan tweeted: “Those who are floating the ridiculous one man party theory wanted to make AAP one family party. Father son daughter trio of Shanti Prashant & Shalini wanted to have a vice-like grip on all party wings, from PAC to policy committee to NE.”

Since the Lok Sabha rout, Yadav and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan have raised questions on inner-party democracy and a personality cult within the AAP revolving around Kejriwal.

Ashutosh, head of the Delhi unit, also took to Twitter: “Prashant ji should have raised issue of personality cult in NE, to be held tomorrow instead in media. NE should have discussed/taken a call.
NE is highest decision making body/is empowered to decide on any issue/can direct anyone accordingly. Best  forum to discuss/decide.”

“Shanti Bhushan ji sud explain why did he say Arvind to be replaced with Yogendra during elections and after NE meet. That is indiscipline. Shanti Bhushan ji should also explain what was the conspiracy to replace Arvind with Yogendra ? Did it not tarnish the image of party,” Ashutosh tweeted.