AAPs rebel faction plans open discussions

New Delhi: The rebel camp of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) led by Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav is holding a ‘Swaraj Samwad’ convention on Tuesday, even as the party warned of action against those attending the event.

A day ahead of the Swaraj Samwad (open dialogue) organised by Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan and other AAP dissidents in Gurgaon, the AAP leadership on Moday evening said that the meeting was unauthorised.

AAP’s senior leader Sanjay Singh on Monday told reporters, “This meeting has got nothing to do with the party. An impression is being made through this that the party has deviated from its ideal path. This is incorrect and is being done just to malign the party. The political affairs committee and the national executive will decide what action to take against those who are organising the meeting.”

Yogendra Yadav, on the other hand, stated since they were party members, they don’t need to take prior permission to hold a meeting. “Can’t a few party members sit together and have a dialogue? Why do I need permission,” he said.

Yogendra Yadav, taking a dig on the other party members, further said that pens, cameras, mobile phones and media will be allowed at Tuesday’s meeting.

While the AAP leadership is outwardly brushing off the meeting as a small matter, all active volunteers in the city are being contacted and categorically asked to skip Tuesday’s event.

A party insider told NewsMobile, “All MLAs have been asked to get in touch with the volunteers in their area and hold meetings. The party is planning a number of events for Ambedkar Jayanti on Tuesday to engage as many people as they can so that the attendance at the Swaraj Samwad meeting is low. Since both sides are doing this to gain public sympathy, the attendance at the meeting becomes very important.”

Strict action is expected against any MLA who decides to participate in the meeting. This puts the party’s Timarpur MLA, Pankaj Pushkar, in a tight spot as he is among the organisers of the meeting.

According to the organisers, no formal notice has been issued by the AAP asking them to not hold this meeting.

“We want to reiterate we are part of AAP and not outsiders. We only want to discuss the state and direction of alternate politics. The meeting will be completely transparent and all decisions will be taken after listening and considering all views,” Yadav said.