The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday, 5 January, responded to rebel party leader Kumar Vishwas’ accusations that Arvind Kejriwal “betrayed” him when announcing the Rajya Sabha nominations of the party.
AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai said the party’s decision for not nominating Kumar Vishwas for a seat in the Upper House of Parliament was because he maligned the party’s image on every public platform following the Delhi municipality polls.
Before the MCD elections, everyone wanted Kumar Vishwas to be a Rajya Sabha member. Since then, there has been no platform where he hasn’t insulted the party. In the Rashtriya Sammelan, the party asked him to make his stance public, but he misused that opportunity. In such circumstances, we decided that if we nominate him for the Rajya Sabha, he may misuse the position.Gopal Rai, leader, AAP
Vishwas, who was associated with the AAP since its inception, responded to Rai’s allegations by asking him to “leave him alone.”
Gopal Rai has woken up from a deep slumber after seven months only today. I request him to wait for the new Guptas that have come in from the Congress and the BJP and wait for their contribution than mess with my dead body. Last time, I went to Babarpur to rally for him. This time, Sushil Gupta will do it for him. The show has just begun. He should sit back and enjoy.Kumar Vishwas, leader, AAP
The AAP received flak from the Opposition for betraying its leaders and nominating two businessman, Sushil Gupta and ND Gupta, for the Rajya Sabha, elections for which would be held on 16 January.
The AAP currently has 67 MLAs in the 70-member Assembly.
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