Kejriwal in damage control mode to arrest dissidence

New Delhi, Jun 7: Battling growing infighting, the Aam Aadmi Party today went on damage control mode by deciding to restructure it and rejected resignation of its senior leaders Yogendra Yadav and Shazia Ilmi who had attacked

for lack of internal democracy in the party.

Making an announcement at the end of second day's National Executive meeting, senior AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said the resignations were rejected "unanimously" and that all the differences were sorted out in a "cordial manner" Yadav had quit from Political Affairs Committee after charging Kejriwal of "falling prey to personality cult" while Ilmi had resigned from the party saying a coterie surrounding the former Chief Minister was running the party.

Bhushan said the National Executive had also rejected the resignations of Haryana convener Naveen Jaihind. "There would always be some differences. All these diferences were discussed in a positive and cordial manner. The party has decided to reject the resignations and move forward," he said.

Earlier, Kejriwal put up a brave front claiming that things are going smooth and there will be an organisational restructuring soon including possible expansion of AAP's Political Affairs Committee, the highest making body. Yadav said by tendering resignation, he sought party's attention over some issues and wanted a discussion on them.

"The day I resigned my party leaders wanted me to withdraw the resignation, but I said issues should be discussed. All these issues were related to the party, volunteers and its well wishers. I am happy that these issues were given importance," Yadav said after the meeting. Sources said Kejriwal had a chat with Yadav and tried to sort out the the "issues".

"Yog(endra) Yadav has raised some imp (sic) issues. All of us will work on it. Yog yadav is a v dear friend and a v valued colleague. Had long discussion with him...," Kejriwal tweeted. After Yadav attacked Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, considered close to the former Chief Minister, had hit back accusing him of targeting the AAP chief and making internal matters public.

"All things are going smooth and differences are resolved. We are discussing organisational structure. Expansion of PAC could be possible," Kejriwal said. The AAP chief also said efforts will be made to bring back Ilmi to the party fold. "I had called her today, but she (Ilmi) did not answer my phone," he said. Ilmi is currently in the US. Sources said, later in the day Lalita Ramdas, a party sympathiser, had talked to Ilmi.

PTI