The internal crisis in the Aam Aadmi Party deepened Wednesday afternoon when Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, television reports said.
NDTV reported that Kejriwal had written a letter to AAP's National Executive committee about being overburdened with work.
The crucial political affairs committee meeting on Wednesday has been convened to address the serious infighting gripping the party. Kejriwal had offered to resign a few days ago and party spokespersons then said the offer was unanimously rejected then.
Over the past week, letters leaked to the media have exposed serious rifts between Kejriwal and his supporters on one side, and founding members Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav on the other side. These senior leaders want Kejriwal removed from the post of national convenor of the party. They have also expressed discontent at his decision-making.
PTI reported that Kejriwal, who is suffering from diabetes, will leave for Bengaluru tomorrow evening for naturopathy treatment for a period of 10 days.
"Hectic schedule, hard work and stress for past several months have taken serious toll on his health. His sugar level is high for the past few days and doctors have advised him medical leave," Sanjay Singh, AAP national spokesperson, said on Tuesday.
In in the national executive meeting on February 26, however, Kejriwal loyalists had rejected his resignation from the post of national convenor. The meeting today is likely to decide the future of Bhushan and Yadav in the party.
Bhushan and Yadav could be removed from the Political Affairs Committee for their open dissent. AAP leader Navin Jaihind, who is expected to propose the sacking of the two leaders, told a TV channel: "They have been involved in anti-party activities and are trying to divide the party everywhere. Mr Kejriwal has been lenient. Anyone else would have been sacked long back."
On Tuesday, Singh described the internal squabbling as unfortunate and painful. "The way letters are being leaked to media indicates ill intention of the leaders writing them," he said.
Kejriwal said that he refuses to be drawn into the bickering within his party.
I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party. This is betrayal of trust that Delhi posed in us(1/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 3, 2015
I refuse to be drawn in this ugly battle.Will concentrate only on Delhi's governance.जनता के भरोसे को किसी भी हालत में टूटने नहीं दूंगा(2/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 3, 2015