While AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday broke his silence on the ongoing rift in his party, a war of words broke out between senior party leaders on Twitter as Prashant Bhushan openly made statements about the party’s misdemeanours.
Kejriwal made it clear on Tuesday that he didn’t want to get involved in this “ugly battle”. He said he was “hurt and pained” by what was going on within the outfit. The party’s national convener added that he wanted to concentrate on Delhi’s governance.
“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 into this ugly battle. Will concentrate on Delhi’s governance. Will not let people’s trust break under any circumstances,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
However, in an interview with a television channel on Tuesday, Bhushan came out bluntly and accused the party of being a one-man organisation where there was a personality cult. He also accused Kejriwal of compromising on ideals for the sake of victory. However, following his statement, Ashish Khetan, a key member of the AAP’s Delhi unit, accused the Bhushan family — Shanti Bhushan and son-daughter Prashant and Shalini — of wanting to control all the wings of the party.
“Those who are floating the ridiculous one-man party theory wanted to make AAP one-family party. Father-son-daughter trio of Shanti Prashant and Shalini wanted to have a vice-like grip on all party wings, from PAC to policy committee to national executive,” Khetan tweeted.
The tweet was immediately retweeted by senior AAP leaders close to Kejriwal. Another party leader and its Delhi convener Ashutosh said that Prashant Bhushan should have raised the issue of “personality cult” at the national executive meeting on Wednesday instead of airing it publicly.
“Prashant Bhushan should have raised issue of personality cult in NE (national executive), to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) instead of the 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,” Ashutosh tweeted.