The drama within AAP continued to unfold in the public eye today, with more letters, expulsions and recrimination all around.
AAP’s internal Lokpal former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas was removed from his position and replaced by a three-member committee consisting of former IPS officer N Dilip, former CISF DIG and lawyer Rakesh Sinha, and educationist S P Verma.
Prashant Bhushan, who was also removed from the party’s National Disciplinary Committee slammed this wave of expulsions.
What we are witnessing is Stalinist purge in this party. It will continue to go on, not just against us, but anybody who dissents.
– Prashant Bhushan
Admiral Ramdas, while not as aggressive in his tone, also expressed sadness at the current state of affairs.
I am surprised because less than two weeks ago the party publicly reaffirmed its confidence in me. At no point in my tenure did the party express to me any dissatisfaction with my service. Neither did its leaders question my neutrality or my objectivity in this position... I am, however, more sad than surprised. It was with a sense of excitement and hope that I became part of this movement to bring a new kind of politics to India.
– Admiral Ramdas
Yesterday, an edited video of AAP’s National Council meeting was made public. Without expressly naming Yadav and Bhushan, Kejriwal spoke of ‘betrayal’ by key party members during the Delhi Polls.
When the whole Delhi stood behind us, some friends of ours cheated us. I am saying this with a heavy heart that when the whole of Delhi was with us, some friends backstabbed us... I have not come here to fight with Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan... I request you to choose between them and us.
– Arvind Kejriwal
The war between the two factions is clearly not over, with Yadav and Bhushan accusing the CM and his supporters of dictatorial behaviour.
Yadav supporter Ramzan Chaudhary has claimed that he was manhandled by bouncers during the National Council meeting. He has filed a police complaint against the party.
Prashant Bhushan has said he may seek legal recourse against his expulsion.
Senior AAP leader and former journalist Ashutosh, in an open letter to Yogendra Yadav accused the latter of allowing his personal political ambitions to motivate his anti-party activities.
AAP MLA and Kejriwal supporter Sanjay Singh said that disciplinary action against Bhushan will be taken by the newly formed Disciplinary Committee.
A party organisation or a family can not exist without discipline. You have to accept leadership of one person. Everybody has got views but when you say you will not follow anybody and work in your own way, then party organisation can not be maintained.
– Sanjay Singh
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