Janjivan Bureau
New Delhi: Rift within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) now came out in the aam admi (General People). War of words from both sides are now going now. Aam Admi Party leader and poet Kumar Vishwas said Aaj Rat Faisla ho Jayega.
Talking to media Vishwas defied his boss and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s gag order to remind him today that the Aam Aadmi Party began as a movement at his home with just three people – Mr Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Mr Vishwas.
“I know I will be targeted. The efforts to tarnish my image will be made. But let me tell those conspirators that I will not allow you to do so,” Kumar Vishwas told reporters without taking any name.
“I have already said 10 times and even to Arvind (Kejriwal) and Manish (Sisodia) and the party that I don`t want to be the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister or the Convenor,” he said.
Kumar Vishwas also said that he would not join any political party or the Swaraj Aandolan.
Kumar Vishwas broke down while talking to reporters and said, “I don`t know why you are here but I had not joined the movement for this.”
The 46-year-old AAP leader stood outside his home, teary-eyed, as he announced that he “will take a decision tonight.” He did not elaborate, but it was interpreted to mean that Mr Vishwas will decide whether he will stay on in AAP or quit.
Rumours about Mr Vishwas’ growing proximity to the BJP have swirled ever since he had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few years ago. He has earlier denied any plan to join to the BJP. Today he brought up his praise of PM Modi, saying he felt no need to apologise for it.
Mr Vishwas had not been asked to apologise, “he made it personal,” said Manish Sisodia, sharply critical of Mr Vishwas’ decision to go public with his announcement. Mr Vishwas, he said, should have discussed it in the party instead. “This demoralises workers. They too know why leaders make such statements and to benefit which party,” Mr Sisodia said.
Kumar Vishwas, a popular poet and satirist with a big following, was accused this week of plotting a coup to overthrow Mr Kejriwal as AAP chief. A Delhi legislator Amanatullah Khan also alleged that if he failed in his takeover bid, Mr Vishwas planned to join the BJP taking with him several AAP legislators.
Mr Khan was divested of a key party post for going public with his allegations as Mr Kejriwal tried to placate Mr Vishwas. But Mr Vishwas demonstrated his anger by failing to turn up for key AAP meeting on Monday evening.
He met reporters instead today and said his credibility has been questioned, hinting at Mr Khan being a proxy for top leaders in the party who want to malign him. The reference was to AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who quit last week as party’s in-charge of Punjab owning responsibility for the party’s debacle in the Delhi civic elections.
Mr Vishwas’ supporters see the attack on him as an attempt to scuttle his chances at being given a bigger role in AAP; despite being a founder member, Mr Vishwas is currently only responsible for overseas funding. Sources said a promotion is planned for him in a big organisational shake-up being initiated by Mr Kejriwal.
Kumar Vishwas said today that he is not interested in big posts. “I will never be Chief Minister or deputy Chief Minister or party chief. Arvind will remain Chief Minister, Manish will remain Deputy Chief Minister. I did not come here for that. I am a volunteer,” Mr Vishwas said and added, “I request the leadership not to kick volunteers and party workers.”
