After weeks of acrimony and public squabbling, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) finally expelled founder members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan late on Monday night.
Yadav and Bhushan had predicted their exit weeks ago. It came in stages. The two leaders were systematically removed from all party panels, then served notice by a disciplinary committee that Bhushan once headed.
Both leaders hit back with scathing, public replies that left party with little option. An AAP statement said the two had been expelled for “gross indiscipline and anti-party activities,” and the decision was unanimous.
“AAP is now run by a Khaap (panchayat). All dreams of a movement have been shattered by a small coterie and a dictator,” said Bhushan this morning. “At least now the nautanki (drama) is over. I feel deep regret, but no question of personal loss,” he added.
Yogendra Yadav said, “I was first angry. Why in the middle of the night? Then I just felt sad.”
Yadav and Bhushan said they were hounded and victimised for taking on party chief Arvind Kejriwal and objecting to what they called his dictatorial ways.
AAP accused them of trying to unseat Kejriwal and work against the party’s interests in the Delhi election that ended with a record result for India’s youngest party.
The infighting that began just days after that victory peaked last week when the rebels announced a new campaign, “Swaraj Abhiyan,” and offered a platform for all disenchanted with AAP and Kejriwal to openly voice their criticism and vote on the possibility of forming a new party.
And, this is how it is tweeting on Twitter..
Just after 2 months kejriwal take 50% uturn on what he promises in election manifesto. #AAPBreakUp
— Bhimashankar (@paramgondbs) April 21, 2015
#RahulMeows #AAPBreakUp irony both Kejriwal swaraj and modi aache din turned out to be lies and gimmicks. Things gone opposite instead.
— PHARMA WORKER (@PHARMA_WORKER) April 21, 2015
#AAP acheived another milestone today, Founding members expelled from the party. #AAPBreakUp
— Loot Padi Hai (@LootPadiHai) April 21, 2015
There were supporters too..
Positive note and a strong message from #AAPBreakUp – No body will be spared if he is doing wrong (inside or outside the party)
— Anurag Pandey (@anak2422anak) April 21, 2015
Media pun was not to be left behind..
Now Again a big panel will set up to discuss #AAPBreakUp on all media channels. And its happening 50th time in 2 years. LOLzz
— Anurag Pandey (@anak2422anak) April 21, 2015
Kejriwal has to take part of the blame. He kept silent because he had no proofs to show. Too bad! #AAPBreakUp pic.twitter.com/hBLANI4nel
— Saurabh Kumar Verma (@saurabh_kv) April 21, 2015
LOL..
Picture of HITLER @ArvindKejriwal ! #AAPBreakUp #AAPWar pic.twitter.com/qhFKT1SOyj
— M MD (@mmdvv) April 21, 2015
And, some pun indeed…
#kejriwal का यु-टर्न 5साल में केवल 40से 50% वादे ही पूरे होगे 2महीने में आधेवादे और 2महीने बाद कहेंगे 5 साल सरकार चला लेतो बहुत #AAPBreakUp
— खुराफ़ाती दीदी (@PreciousBaatein) April 21, 2015
Finally, it doesn’t get worse than this…
#AAP has activated its self destruction mode.. #AAPBreakUp
— Chandan Sadhu (@chandansadhu) April 21, 2015
