Growing dissidence in AAP: Is it end of journey for Kejriwal?

After a nearly complete whitewash in recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the Aam Aadmi Party has been struggling hard to sustain its identity and relevance in the political circle of Delhi. But, day- to-day controversies surrounding the party are creating hurdles in its path. Not only this, the internal crisis of the party has also posed a challenge to the existence of the party. Days after party's founder member, Shazia Ilmi, resigned alleging there is no democracy in the party, another senior leader Shanti Bhushan on Wednesday hit out at AAP chief, saying he lacks organisational skills.

Bhushan, who is considered to be a mentor within AAP and has been associated with Kejriwal even before the formation of the party, said Kejriwal lacks the skills needed to run an organisation. Bhushan said that Kejriwal lacks the ability to run the party at national level and further added that the AAP chief should give the task of building the party to someone else.

Bhushan's criticism came at a time when country's youngest political outfit is slowly recovering from its humiliating defeat in Lok Sabha poll and trying to recover the lost ground in the national capital. The party emboldened by the show of strength at its first public rally in Jantar Mantar, AAP
has demanded fresh elections in Delhi. The party has instructed its volunteers to prepare for the elections.

Bhushan's charge not new:

Bhushan is not the first to question Kejriwal's style of functioning. Earlier, several senior party leaders like Yogendra Yadav, Shazia Ilmi raised their voice against Kejriwal and complained of no internal democracy within the party.

Shazia Ilmi, the founder member of AAP recently resigned from the party, alleging that the crucial decisions within the party were only taken by few persons. Ilmi said there is "lack of inner democracy" within the party.

She said while AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal talked of 'swaraj (freedom), the party itself was undemocratic, and decisions were being taken in a very arbitrary manner.

Shazia quit AAP saying there is "lack of inner democracy" within party.

Some reports said that Yogendra Yadav was also unhappy with Kejriwal's way of decision making.

Ashwini Upadhaya, Vinod Binny accused Kejriwal of being dictator

In April this year, a faction of its national council members asked for change in party's leadership. They wanted Kejriwal to be replaced as convener by Kumar Vishwas. The dissenters were led by Ashwini Upadhyay, who accused Kejriwal of being dictatorial. Upadhyay was expelled from the party later. Similarly, party's Delhi MLA Vinod Kumar Binny too accused AAP chief of being 'dictator and liar.'

AAP termed as 'Khap Panchayat' by its own women members

Some prominent women faces of the party like Shazia Ilmi and Madhu Bhaduri resigned alleging, 'AAP has the same mentality as Khap Panchayats on gender justice that is why AAP leadership justifies Khap Panchayats'.

Is Kejriwal an anarchist or an alchemist?

Kejriwal who has a very few months in politics, is arrogant enough to call everyone corrupt, every time he gets ready to make slanderous charges against rival politicians.So far, he has only made tall claims and did nothing positive for the people. His attitude to bring even a small fight on roads have so far created negative image among the masses.

Not healthy signs for AAP

Such allegations against CM aspirant Kejriwal are not healthy signs. The charges are coming at a time when election could be announce any time soon. These charges levelled by Kejriwal's close aides could be distraous for the party in the Assembly polls.

The party could loose its credibility among voters especially the young ones whom it targeting ahead of the State elections. Since Lok Sabha polls verdict, Kejriwal and his party is going through rough patches and trying instill a positive image among the public.