AAP global supporters seek unity in the party

With the rift in AAP deepening, non-resident Indian supporters of the party have appealed to its leadership to stand united and resolve all their differences peacefully.

NRI AAP chapters across the world have launched a social media campaign #UnitedAAP, appealing for "reconciliation and togetherness" among party leadership.

"We are very excited about our victory and the opportunity to make lasting positive change in Indian governance. However, we are very distressed at the recent turn of events and the crisis of mistrust among leadership," AAP NRI supporters said in an appeal emailed to the party's national executive members.

The appeal was signed by 32 AAP NRI chapters, including from the US, the UK, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, North Carolina, Qatar, Kenya, New Zealand, Netherlands, West Central Africa, Germany, Oman, Singapore, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Hong Kong.

"In a large organization, difference of opinion are expected but we believe that everyone involved in this issue has the best interest of party and our country at heart, and hence should remain united to tackle the larger problems of corruption, growth and human rights," the appeal said.

"All of our leaders together have brought the party where it is today and are needed to ensure its growth and strong future. We want to make a request that Admiral Ramdas' recommendations relating to the party organization be reviewed and implemented," it said.

In the letter written ahead of the party's national executive meet last week, Admiral Ramdas, a former Navy chief and the party's "internal lokpal", had said the top party leadership needed to make efforts to address criticisms over inner-party democracy.

Sharp differences have come to the fore within AAP with allegations that senior leaders Prashant Bhsuan and Yogendra Yadav were trying to "remove" Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal from the post of party convener.

Breaking his silence for the first time on the issue, Kejriwal had yesterday said he was "hurt and pained" by what was going on within the outfit as all this has "betrayed" the trust imposed by the people.