The problems of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seem to be perennial, and worsening. After its own members rebelled against Amanatullah Khan for suggesting that prominent leader Kumar Vishwas could leave the party, Vishwas himself has given a hint that something on those lines may happen.
It may be noted here that Khan was forced to resign from the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) on Monday (May 1) night after suggesting that Vishwas was either trying to engineer a coup within the AAP or would leave the party altogether and join the AAP. Turmoil like this has been a constant part of the AAP, and has only increased following the party's election defeats in Punjab, Goa and the municipal corporations of Delhi.
Now, it seems that another major rift is going to tear the AAP asunder. Vishwas himself suggested on Tuesday, May 2, that there was a conspiracy against him within the party, and Khan was just a "mask" for the conspirators to air their grievances against him.
Referring to what had been said against him, Vishwas said: "Had Amanatullah Khan said anything like this against Arvind [Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister and AAP chief] or Manish [Sisodia, AAP leader and Delhi deputy chief minister], he would have been shown the door in 10 minutes."
There is heavy speculation now as to whether Vishwas will remain in the AAP, and that decision in expected to come on Wednesday, May 3. However, Kejriwal and Sisodia visited Vishwas' house late on Tuesday night to talk to him. Kejriwal said before the meeting: "Kumar Vishwas is upset, but I'm confident we will convince him [to stay in the AAP]."
If he remains, he will continue to demand action against Khan for his statements. And if that continues despite the gag order Kejriwal has issued against his party members, the AAP chief may appear weak.
On the other hand, if Vishwas quits the AAP, he will leave behind a huge gap in the party leadership, with just Sisodia and Kejriwal remaining from among the top people who had started the party. Either way, there is going to be more turmoil within the AAP.
