Decoding AAP rift: Know 'reasons' why Kejriwal and Yogendra camp were wrangling

Knives are out in Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which recently came to power in Delhi after routing giant BJP. It is being said that the fledgling party is divided into two groups- one led by Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan and other by Arvind Kejriwal and Dilip Pandey.

Both groups are accusing each other of not following the basic tenets of the party, though Arvind Kejriwal has not spoken clearly on this issue. AAP chief has only expressed sadness over the whole matter. Earlier, Prashant Bhusan had attacked him saying AAP has become one person-centric party. In reply, a leader who supports Kejriwal said that Bhushan and Yadav are conspiring against Arvind Kejriwal.

It is yet not confirmed whose version is correct, but one thing is for sure that the way party leaders are washing dirty linen in public domain, AAP will lose its credibility. People voted for the party as they found it different from others (BJP, Congress). But current ego tussle has dashed their hopes. In coming days party may see ramifications of this wrangling within itself.

Most surprising is Kejriwal's attitude. Despite being at the center of the controversy the AAP convener will not attend party's national executive meet. Being a captain of the ship, Kejriwal should address the problem in a meticulous way. Sadly, he went to Bangalore on the pretext of his illness.

Apparently by not attending meeting, he wants to give out a message that AAP is a democratic party and is not being run by him only. As it is almost certain that Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan will be axed from Political Affairs Committee, Kejriwal doesn't want to take onus upon himself. He will simply say that party has taken the decision and he has nothing to say in that.

Aam Admi (common people) still not getting what is happening to their party. Here are the issues which possibly led to rift within the party.

Ego tussle

It looks like current crisis is the result of ongoing ego clash between top party leaders. Journalist turned politician Asutosh had recently said that there is contradiction between left centric approach preached by some and developmental politics between others, though it is partly correct. If it is the real reason then a question arises, how they were all together till now. What has changed just after the election?

Apparently, after election, Arvind Kejriwal took all the credit and his aura increased overnight in the party. Yogendra Yadav who is psephologist and has played very important role in nurturing party is finding himself cornered by rising clout of Kejriwal and his loyalists in the party. Though, Yadav's eloquence shows that he has no such issues in his mind.

Internal democracy and Transparency

Yadav and Bhushan say that party must follow the basic tenets with which it was started. They believe that party should follow democracy and transparency and it should be reflected in every decision being taken by top leaders. Bhushan alleged that party has not followed this basic rule in many of its decisions recently.

On the other hand, refuting from these allegations, Kejriwal and his loyalists are of the view that the party following the basic principles on which it was formed.

Fight over ticket distribution

It is being said that in recent Delhi election, AAP gave tickets to some candidates who had conquered records. Yadav camp was not at all happy with this decision. Bhushan had then put his foot down and refused to support several candidates fielded by the party. Refuting such charges, top leaders contended that tickets were allocated only after background check and as per the merits of the candidates.

Expansion of AAP in other States

Another subject of rift within the party is expansion of AAP. Yogendra Yadav wants party to expand its base in other States while Arvind Kejriwal is against it. Try to recall Kejriwal's statement during oath taking ceremony in Delhi. Slamming Yadav, he had said "some leaders want us to expand, but we will not do so. We will work in Delhi only".

It is being said on the suggestions of Yadav only, party fought Lok Sabha election where the party faced humiliating defeat at the hands of the BJP. Arvind Kejriwal didn't not want party to contest poll, rather he wanted to concentrate on Delhi.

One man centric party

Yogendra Yadav and Prashan Bhushan don't want Arvind Kejriwal to hold party convener's post. The reason the duo are putting up is that it will give wrong signal to people. People may think that party is 'one man centric' and all the decision are being taken by only him.

Party leader Sanjay singh has accused both the founding members of conspiring against the Delhi CM.

This is not the first time when Yadav is flexing muscle against Kejriwal. Earlier, after LS rout, he has openly criticized Delhi CM through a letter. Yadav had expressed his displeasure that only Kejriwal and his bunch of loyalists call the shots in the party.