AAP crisis: As it happened on Wednesday

The AAP National Executive, which met here amid high drama on Wednesday, ousted senior leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from its top decision-making body (PAC), after weeks of infighting that pitted the two against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP crisis: As it happened on Wednesday
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New Delhi: The AAP National Executive, which met here amid high drama on Wednesday, ousted senior leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from its top decision-making body (PAC), after weeks of infighting that pitted the two against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Here are the Live Updates:

  • It is unfortunate. When people give such a mandate they are hopeful of unity and good governance. This incident will surely disappoint people: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told ANI.

  • It has been decided that party will give new role to Yadav and Bhushan, says Vishwas.
  • No personal differences will split the party, says Vishwas.
  • Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as AAP's convener rejected at the party's National Executive meeting.
  • NE has decided to relieve Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav of their duties as PAC members and be given new responsibilties: AAP's Kumar Vishwas.
  • 8 members of the PAC voted in favour of Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, and 11 against them.
  • AAP's NE has decided by majority that I and Yadav will not be a part of PAC, says Prashant Bhushan.  
  • As a disciplined member of the party, I will fulfill whatever role I will be given, adds Yadav.
  • Hard work of thousands of its workers has made AAP. It is hope for millions of people of this country today. That hope should not be broken, says Yadav after party's NE meet.
  • Yadav has been removed on grounds of anti-party activities, as per sources.
  • AAP leader Yogendra Yadav not to be in party's Political Affairs Committee, claim PTI sources.
  • Crucial AAP meet begins, NE to decide on Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan
  • AAP supporters gather outside the venue of AAP's national executive meeting
  • Prashant Bhushan has not offered resignation from Political Affairs Committee, reports ANI
  • Prashant Bhushan offers to withdraw from AAP's PAC ahead of meet, claim media reports
  • It's a big day today, I am sure today evening AAP as a party will step forward: Yogendra Yadav
  • Yogendra Yadav arrives for AAP meet
  • Want Yogendra and Bhushan to be removed from party, not just from PAC: Jaihind
  • Party must act against those who hatched a conspiracy against Kejriwal: Jaihind
  • No leader apart from Kejriwal can be convenor, says Naveen Jaihind
  • Manish Sisodia, Kumar Vishwas arrive for AAP meet
  • Prashant Bhushan leaves for AAP's national executive meet
  • Kejriwal had resigned as convener on Feb 26, but it was unanimously rejected by the national executive, says Ashutosh
  • I believe that we are like a new born baby & learning to walk, in that circumstance there are times when there is imbalance: Yogendra Yadav
  • Politics is a huge journey, what seems problematic is actually an opportunity: Yadav
  • Arvind offered to resign from convenor's post earlier & everyone opposed it: Yogendra Yadav
  • AAP National Executive to decide on Kejriwal's resignation
  • Kejriwal has sent a letter to AAP National Executive in this regard, claims he is too busy with work in Delhi
  • Arvind Kejriwal quits as AAP national convenor

Also Read: Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan​ likely to be asked for clarification at AAP meet

  • All issues will be resolved today, says Kumar Vishwas of AAP

  • There should be no effect of all this on Delhi because this is their time to deliver: Vijay Goel, BJP
  • AAP leader Ashish Khetan regrets commenting on the Bhushans in public
  • You will know everything after 2 pm, says Mann
  • We will keep our stand in the national executive meeting: Mann
  • Everyone in the party has right to express their opinion: Bhagwant Mann
  • Ours is a democratic party, issues are resolved with discussions: Bhagwant Mann
  • The real fight is about Raj Sabha, everyone is fighting for themselves: Prabhat Jha (BJP)
  • AAP should concentrate on fulfilling promises made to people of Delhi: Satish Upadhyay
  • People have to think about what promises AAP came in with & what is happening: Satish Upadhyay, BJP
  • Yogendra Yadav & Prashant Bhushan will be asked to put forth their clarification before National Executive meeting today, claim AAP sources
  • We need Arvind Kejriwal, he is an icon of hope: Yogendra Yadav
  • It is only through these tests of fire, we shall come out and say yes we are different: Yogendra
  • There are always issues and difficulties: Yogendra Yadav
  • No political party, family or office can say all is well, says Yadav
  • All I want to say is, na todenge na chhodenge, sudhaarenge, khud bhi sudhrenge: Yadav
  • If not in PAC,will continue to work, says Yogendra
  • Issue is ensuring greater say of AAP volunteers, after all it's their party:Yogendra
  • Who should be a PAC member not an issue, says Yadav
  • We represent hope, those hopes will not be dashed, says Yogendra Yadav
  • We have a huge mandate, this is a moment to work with large heartedness: Yogendra Yadav
  • Leaving a post doesn't mean I'll leave party: Yogendra Yadav
  • If I am not capable enough to be in PAC, I should be removed: Yogendra Yadav
  • If I have violated discipline, action should be taken: Yogendra Yadav
  • If I have done anything wrong, I should be punished for that: Yogendra Yadav
  • These hopes cannot go in vain, you will hear good news in the evening: Yogendra Yadav
  • AAP was born out of hopes and aspirations of people: Yadav
  • I don't go to temple, don't worship but hope something good will come out of today's meeting, says Yogendra Yadav, AAP
  • This is a new day and new beginning: Ashish Khetan
  • AAP will become stronger after today's meet, says Ashish Khetan
  • Arvind Kejriwal won't attend today's meet
  • Decision on Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan likely to be taken  
  • 21-member AAP national executive set to meet at 2 pm today

Also read: Yogendra Yadav hopeful of AAP national executive meet yielding 'good news'

Also read: Kejriwal unlikely to attend AAP national executive meeting today

The story so far

The ugly strife that has gripped Delhi's barely month-old ruling party may see the duo of AAP leaders out of its top body today.

AAP sources said that the majority in the 21-member National Executive, favoured ousting Bhushan, a leading Supreme Court lawyer and an AAP founder, and political pundit Yadav from the nine-member, decision-making Political Affairs Committee (PAC)

The decision, if carried out, would mean that Bhushan and Yadav would cease to be decision makers in a party that is sure to expand its wings in the country once it cements its foundation in Delhi.

And if Bhushan and Yadav take their ouster from the PAC as a slight, they could exit from the Aam Aadmi Party, which stormed to power in the capital Delhi only a month ago sweeping 67 of the 70 assembly seats.

"The majority is determined to act against Yadav and Bhushan," a high-level AAP source told IANS. "Most feel that they have brought a bad name to the AAP by talking about the lack of so-called internal democracy in the party.

"It is clear they are ganging up against Kejriwal, who has virtually destroyed his own health rebuilding the party from scratch over the past one year," the source added.

The source admitted that a small section in the party, including in the National Executive, was in favour of not doing anything that could lead to the possible exit of Bhushan and Yadav from the AAP.

The AAP meanwhile announced that Kejriwal, who is not expected to attend today's National Executive meeting, will fly to Bengaluru today for 10 days of naturopathy treatment for his high sugar levels.

"I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party. This is betrayal of trust that (the people of) Delhi reposed in us," the AAP chief tweeted, adding he won't allow "people's trust to be broken".

"I refuse to be drawn in this ugly battle. Will concentrate only on Delhi's governance," he added. I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party, tweets Kejriwal

Kejriwal's comments appeared to indicate he was distancing himself from his known supporters who have threatened to act tough against Bhushan and Yadav. On Tuesday, Prashant Bhushan's father Shanti Bhushan, also a leading lawyer, urged his son, Yadav and Kejriwal to "stick together".

"Kejriwal should continue as all-India convenor. Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav must support him.

"That's the best for the party, and such a stand will achieve the goals for which the party was set up. There should be no rift," said Shanti Bhushan, who himself has made critical comments against Kejriwal earlier.

Yadav said on Tuesday: "I and Prashant Bhushan had raised voice for internal democracy in the party. There is nothing wrong in that. I will see if action happens against me."

Yadav is being accused by a section of the AAP of trying to oust Kejriwal as its national convenor. AAP leaders appealing for peace deny this. The AAP said that Kejriwal's sugar level was above 300. "So he has decided to opt for naturopathy."

In Kejriwal's absence, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will officiate as chief minister. Kejriwal, who became chief minister of Delhi a second time last month, has been a long-time diabetic.

Officials in Bengaluru said Kejriwal will be admitted to the Jindal Naturecure Institute on the outskirts of the city Thursday. The institute, spread over 10 acres of lush greenery, provides relief, prevention and cure of specific diseases through a non-invasive, drugless therapy.

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