AAP Rift: Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav take on Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is heading towards a major split, as rebel leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav have decided to take on Arvind Kejriwal and asked him to respond to their allegations and concerns. If we believe the sources, stage is set for their suspension/expulsion from the AAP.

AAP Spokesperson Ashish Khetan had earlier announced that both Yadav and Bhushan have resigned from the National Executive and that they are working against Kejriwal. However, Bhushan has denied this, saying he and Yadav never resigned.

“They say one thing in private and another in public,” Khetan told the media, adding he had been involved in days of close-door discussions with both men.

The comments came two days ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party’s National Executive meeting where both sides — the Kejriwal camp and supporters of Bhushan and Yadav — could have had a showdown.

Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia added that talks with Bhushan and Yadav had failed, saying they were adamant that Kejriwal must go as the party’s all-powerful national convener. Another AAP leader, Kumar Vishwas, said all the five proposals of Bhushan and Yadav were accepted by the party but their demand for axing Kejriwal as the national convener had to decided by the national executive.

However, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav openly said that they never wanted Kejriwal to resign as the National Convener. They have denied the charges made against them. Bhushan went on to say that Kejriwal wanted only “yes men” around him.

Yogendra Yadav accused AAP leaders of lying to people and media. They held an emergency press meet at 9:45 PM tonight to dismiss all allegations against them and make further disclosure. Soon after, Sanjay Singh and other members of Kejriwal camp held another press meet and slammed Yadav and Bhushan.