AAP rift: MLAs sign letter seeking expulsion of Bhushan, Yadav from party
New Delhi: Nearly 50 legislators of the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday drafted a letter for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking expulsion of party ‘rebels’ Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav. Karawal Nagar MLA Kapil Mishra alleged that the actions of the three named in the letter have resulted in internal rifts within the party.
“Party MLAs are all writing petition to Arvind Kejriwal, in which we have said that because of Shanti Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, we have moved from fighting against the BJP and Congress to fighting with each other,” Mishra told ANI.
“We have been feeling betrayed, but still people were with us. I was a part of the India Against Corruption movement, from which this party came into existence. We will not tolerate anyone who tries to destroy this movement,” he added.
He further claimed that all the MLAs of the party have approved the expulsion of the trio. Mishra refuted Yogendra Yadav's claim that MLA's have been coerced to sign the letter demanding ouster of two dissidents.
“As a volunteer of the party, I feel that it is our responsibility to save the party. Therefore we demand that Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav be expelled from the party. I have spoken to all the MLA’s and everyone is willing to sign on [the letter],” he said.
On Tuesday, the AAP had issued a statement justifying the expulsion of Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party on March 4. Yogendra Yadav later said, "I would like to thank my four colleagues for making a statement in public. Hope this would put an end to all this rumour mongering, and opens the possibility for a truthful dialogue. I'm told that Delhi MLAs are being forced to sign a letter against us, I hope this ends".
"It is our party's mechanism that Lokpal can look into allegations against any party leader; and the Lokpal is willing to look into it," he added . According to reports, none of Kejriwal's cabinet ministers have signed the signature campaign. AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh has commented that the party will decide on the future course of action later and it is not possible to say now what decision will be taken.
