AAP national executive discusses measures to strengthen party

New Delhi, Sept 24: The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP)'s National Executive on Thursday discussed a range of issues including strengthening the organisation across the country, preparing the list of "active volunteers" and to address the shortage of funds, but no decision was taken on the fate of party MLA Somnath Bharti, who is on run in a domestic violence case.

The National Executive is the second highest decision making body of the party. In the meeting emphasis was given on building the organisation in other states and prepare a list of volunteers.

Discussion also took place on the National Council as it is completing three years and the list is to be updated in coming days.

"Stress was given on replicating the Delhi model, where we have a strong organisation right upto the booth level, in other states. A list of active volunteers will also be prepared," said an AAP leader.

However, no decision was taken on Bharti's fate, but it the issue was discussed in the meeting. The party's top brass is known to be upset with the Malviya Nagar MLA for not surrendering before the police in a case related to domestic violence by wife Lipika Misra. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had also called him an "embarrassment" to the party.

"Yesterday, party chief (Kejriwal) spelled out his stand on the issue. The party holds the same stand that he should surrender and cooperate with the police," senior party leader and Political Affairs Committee (PAC) member Sanjay Singh said. He said the meet also took a view of the functioning of the Central government.

"Discussion was also held on the RSS-BJP meeting few days back, which was attended by the Home Minister and other ministers. This pollutes the religious atmosphere in the country. We expressed serious concern over it and have decided to chalk out a strategy on how to tackle this.

"The BJP has also failed to control inflation. The AAP will hold a comprehensive campaign against all this," Singh said. Slamming the BJP, at the backdrop of the report on Muzaffarnagar issue, Singh added that the party will also run a campaign against the BJP and the RSS to "unmask" the two.

The party is also battling with the problem of shortage of funds. "There was a concern raised in terms of funds. Normally, a ruling party does not face cash crunch, but AAP is the only party which is witnessing this problem. We get money from people. A decision to run a campaign for it was also taken," Singh added.

PTI