In the end Arvind Kejriwal got his way. He continues to be AAP convenor and Prashant Bhushan along with Yogendra Yadav have been unceremoniously dumped from the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC). Having said that the decision was not that unanimous, the verdict was 11-8 in favour of Bhushan and Yadav's ouster.
Kejriwal, it now seems, played all the right cards. He stayed away from the meeting citing poor health, and did not entertain any efforts of reconciliation from the rebellious duo. Not only that, he insisted on the ouster of the "two thorns" if he was to stay on as convenor of the party, reports The Times of India.
It was Kumar Vishwas who eventually freed Bhushan and Yadav from their responsibilities. The two were criticised for not having faith in the Delhi election team. Vishwas added that "personal opinions and personal differences" would not be allowed to affect the unity of the party, which was working towards delivering on their promises so that people were not let down.
Despite being sidelined, Yadav and Bhushan are not likely to leave the party. The same issues are expected to be raised by them at the AAP National Council meeting, an all-India body of leaders, members and volunteers, which is scheduled for the end of the month.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Bhushan said, "The NE by majority decision decided that we should not remain in the PAC. I hope that the party which was created and inspired millions of people as a party wedded to the principles of transparency, accountability, inner party democracy and Swaraj will not disappoint the people on whose efforts the party was founded."
Yadav on his part said that he would continue to work as a disciplined worker of AAP, adding that the party was created with "blood and sweat" of thousands of supporters whose trust should not be betrayed.
