Flays AAP’s leadership for its ‘hypocrisy’ on ‘swaraj’
The penchant to take to the streets for every single issue has now started to recoil at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Now, the AAP Volunteers Action Manch (AVAM) —formed by some of the disgruntled AAP volunteers — on Sunday alleged that the party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal was “responsible” for the current situation of the party.
AVAM founder, Karan Singh, whom Kejriwal had entrusted with heading the party’s grievance cell after it came to power in Delhi, is currently sitting on dharna at Jantar Mantar demanding voting rights for all party volunteers and more say in the decision-making process by the AAP leadership.
While addressing a thin crowd at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, Singh alleged that the decision to quit from the Delhi Government after just 49-days was taken solely by Kejriwal, which was forced on the party and its volunteers in spite of their opposition.
“Those who felt the need for a change in the AAP raised their voice repeatedly but only to be unheard. The Delhi Assembly election results came, followed by the party forming the Government in Delhi. And exactly at that moment it looked like we were in a position to do something but without asking the volunteers the party resigned from the Government. We all felt suddenly that our efforts have gone waste. Why did this happenIJ” queried Singh.
Without naming Kejriwal — who was the then Chief Minister of Delhi — Singh, who has now been expelled for “anti-party” activities said, “The party quit the Government because one man took the decision. It happened because of the irresponsible behaviour of one person. Delhiites and party volunteers had to bear the brunt”. He also slammed the party’s current leadership for its “hypocrisy” on the plank of swaraj. “Those who talk about system change, have to first change their own system. I think we need to make ourselves a model, and then inspire the world to change and also ensure that our message carries weight,” he said.
Accusing Karan Singh of being “fame hungry”, AAP functionaries said that he “misused” party data without its approval and allegedly sent “pro-BJP” text messages to party cadres. AAP leadership has distanced itself away from the outfit saying it had nothing to do with AVAM. The outfit got Shanti Bhushan’s support. A video of him supporting the idea has been uploaded on the AVAM website.