Schism ends in ouster of Bhushan, Yadav from party’s key panel
The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) month-long internal feud finally exploded on Saturday when the party's National Executive passed a resolution to sack founding members and rebel leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan.
The move is, reportedly, a precursor to their possible exit for challenging party chief Arvind Kejriwal. Along with Yadav and Bhushan, senior leaders Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha, who were representing the two during negotiations with the party’s top leadership, were also dropped from the executive.
According to party sources, soon after Arvind Kejriwal’s address to the AAP’s executive meet in South Delhi’s Kapas Hera area, a resolution, undersigned by 167 members, was moved by Manish Sisodia to oust dissenting leaders Bhushan and Yadav from the National Executive.
Confirming the numbers, AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta said, “Out of total 392 members, 311 attended the meeting on Saturday. Of them, 247 voted in favour of the resolution, ten were against it and 54 abstained from it.”
All the demands put forth by the dissenting leaders were rejected. The resolution was then, reportedly, passed by a show of hands. During the meeting, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also reportedly threatened to resign and lashed out at Bhushan and Yadav, accusing them of engaging in “anti-party” activities.
However, after attending the turbulent meeting of the party’s highest policy-making body, a visibly upset Yadav alleged that the voting had taken place amid violence and heckling. “It was a murder of democracy”, said Yadav alleging that “bouncers” dragged his supporters out of the meeting so that Kejriwal’s supporters could prevail.
Bhushan alleged “goondagardi (hooliganism).” “Everything played out in accordance with a predetermined script and the resolution was moved and passed within minutes completely disregarding laid down procedures. It was a total farce. There was only gundagiri (hooliganism) in the meeting; this is not what AAP into politics for. I apologize to all our supporters and sympathizers, this is not the day we were waiting for,” said Yadav.
Prashant Bhushan too, joined Yadav and alleged that Kejriwal came fully prepared to “kick us out” from the party and that a number of NC members, who supported him, and Yadav were injured.
“Whatever Kejriwal was heard saying in a sting on Friday was played out in the entirety in today’s meeting. There was no distinction between members and others. There was no discussion, no secret vote, no showing of votes in the meeting,” the eminent lawyer said.
However, trashing Bhushan and Yadav’s claims, Kejriwal camp hit back saying that no there was no use of violence at the meeting. “Ramzan Chaudhary bhai was shouting during Kejriwal’s speech. Koi maar peet nahi hui hai (No violence took place) and we can prove this if you want,” said AAP leader Sanjay Singh.
Kejriwal loyalist Ashutosh also accused Yadav of “spreading lies” that NC members were beaten up in meeting.”YY is spreading lies that NC members were beaten up in meeting. There was no scuffle or manhandling. It’s a cooked up story to gain sympathy,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, high-voltage drama followed throughout the day as Kejriwal supporters raised slogans against Bhushan and Yadav with placards reading “Gaddaron Ko Bahar Karo”, “Kejriwal Tum Aage Badho Hum Tumhare Sath Hain” before and during the meeting was on. “Slogans were shouted during Kejriwal’s address to national council and I was barely allowed to speak,” said Yadav.
“247 NE members voted in favour of removal of these leaders, with eight votes against it. About 54 members did not take part in the voting,” AAP secretary Pankaj Gupta said. AAP National Secretary Pankaj Gupta said. In a related development, AAP’s internal lokpal Ramdas was also asked not to attend the meet to “avoid confrontation”, which was criticized by the rebel leaders.
Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after making an emotional speech, left the meeting before the resolution was introduced by his loyalist Manish Sisodia. In Kejriwal’s absence, the meeting was chaired by Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai. “There was no discussion on the proposal and it was passed in a minute,” said Yadav.
After the meeting, Yadav and Bhushan accused Kejriwal of using unfair means including bringing goons at the meeting who allegedly beat up a number of National Council members opposed to the resolution.
Ahead of the meeting, Yadav sat on a dharna outside the venue for around 20 minutes alleging that some National Council members opposed to Kejriwal camp were not being allowed inside the meeting.
A large number of AAP volunteers from both camps descended at the venue of the meeting at Calista resort in Kapahsera border and engaged in sloganeering against each other. A section of the volunteers supporting Kejriwal celebrated ouster of Bhaushan and Yadav after the decision was made public.