NEW DELHI — The Aam Aadmi Party was thrown into further disarray on Wednesday after a series of whirlwind developments. Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan released a five page letter to AAP volunteers, giving their version of the events that have led to a standoff between them and other senior leaders headed by Arvind Kejriwal. This was barely an hour after senior AAP leader Anjali Damania quit the party, upset over allegations against Kejriwal, who reportedly played divisive politics last year.
In the joint statement by Bhushan and Yadav, they have written to volunteers in order to give a background to events that took place leading up to allegations of anti-party activities against them.
"Our fight is to ensure party remains true to its founding principles," Bhushan has said. Yadav added that the duo would not be making any more statements to media following the letter.
Hope PB and my response will also be duly publicised by the party media. Hope party's website will be opened for all volunteers responses.
— Yogendra Yadav (@AapYogendra) March 10, 2015
Bhushan and Yadav have refuted several allegations levelled against them in the past few days, and in previous months, claiming they have worked for the party's welfare. Alleging that the inner-party workings have not been democratic and fair on several matters in the past 10 months, the duo said they had opposed some party decisions that they claimed were made unilaterally by a choice few leaders.
Yadav had earlier claimed that Delhi MLAs were being forced to sign a petition against him and Bhushan by other senior party leaders. On the other hand, a party MLA on Wednesday started a signature campaign seeking the expulsion of the the Bhushans and Yadav from its ranks.
Kapil Mishra, the AAP MLA from Karawal Nagar, started the campaign on Wednesday, saying that he has so far got a positive "response" from fellow party MLAs.
"I will give this petition, with the support of our MLAs, to Arvind (Kejriwal) ji once he comes back. I have spoken to all our MLAs and they have agreed to sign the petition," said Mishra, who also called for "exemplary action" against those found to be involved in anti-party activities.
The young party, barely a month after their astounding win in Delhi elections, has been in deep turmoil with frequent instances of infighting.
Meanwhile Damania, who was the AAP's convenor in Maharashtra, quit the party on Wednesday. She took the step after ex-AAP leader Rajesh Garg released an audio recording where Kejriwal allegedly tells him over the phone to get support from Congress leaders by asking them to leave the party first. This conversation allegedly took place before the Delhi Vidhan Sabha split last year, Garg has claimed.
Damania has demanded an inquiry into the allegations within 48 hours.
I quit.. Ihave not come into Aap for this nonsense. I believed him.. I backed Arvind for principles not Horse-trading http://t.co/lxMaBkwxeO
— Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) March 11, 2015
Aap is not a political party.It was a ray of hope for this country. Thousands of vols slogged for it. Just no one can play with the siddhant
— Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) March 11, 2015
Aap will only work on Siddhant. Just enough of nonsense. Arvind, PB & YY should beg apology to the karyakarta in next 48 hrs for their acts
— Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) March 11, 2015
I demand inquiry in 48 hrs into all these allegations. Vols have given their sweat & blood. It is not for the party... It is for the country
— Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) March 11, 2015
AAP leader Preeti Menon has been sent to convince Damania to reconsider her resignation.
Full Text Of Yogendra Yadav And Prashant Bhushan's Letter To AAP Volunteers: