'Recent incidents have dented AAP image'
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'Recent incidents have dented AAP image'
The new equations in the Aam Aadmi Party have made Ashutosh one of the important leaders of the party. He, along with Ashish Khetan played an important role in the ouster of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. Now, with party fast moving towards a centralised and personality based organisation, Ashutosh and others are to play key roles in the party.
The former broadcaster spoke to Anil Sinha of Deccan Herald on the nature and extent of the crisis the AAP is currently undergoing. Though the AAP leader believes that the party will emerge stronger after this crisis, he acknowledges that present controversy has dented the image of the party.
Some people have accused people like you and Khetan of playing a role in alienating founder leaders from the party leadership and in aggravating the crisis.
I do not agree that I have, in any way, contributed to the crisis. There is no reason to believe that the conflict started because of me. This is basically a conflict between old views and new one. The people who have been socialists or ultra-lefts- Yogendra Yadav, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha -were trying to control the party. But they should understand that the old ideologies have failed and do not attract people. All of them have been active in politics since long but could hardly make any impact. Now when the new politics has won, they want to hijack it.
What do you mean by the new politics? Does it have any ideological content?
Yes, of course. It has its own ideology which believes in accountability, transparency and the participatory nature of the system. People want delivery, they want corruption free system. This is our ideology. This is what people were attracted to. This was the core ideology of Anna Hazare’s movement. We have won because we showed our commitment to the people that we would deliver on our promises to the people. We promised we would provide them corruption-free administration and solve their daily life problems like clean area, water and electricity.
So, you do not consider it as a power struggle and a clash between personalities. Why it is that only few people have been targeted?
No, we cannot say that this was only an ideological war. Indeed, there was a power struggle and a clash of personalities. But these two things were only a smaller part of the entire episode. They (Bhushan and Yadvav) wanted to grab the party. Yadav and Bhushan were conspiring against Arvind Kejriwal to remove him from the post of national convener and install Yadav there.
But they (Bhsushan and Yadav) always denied it. You also could not produce any proof of the conspiracy?
Yadav was planting stories in newspapers and we caught him. Shanti Bhushan was openly expressing his views against Kejriwal. Moreover, Prashant Bhushan and Yadav campaigned against party candidates in the last Assembly Elections.
How could Shanti Bhushan declare that Kiran Bedi and Ajay Makan were better chief ministerial candidates than Kejriwal was? The Bhushan are not different people.
All of them campaigned against Kejriwal and the party. All of them are together. How can a party tolerate such things?
But people are not comfortable with your decision of removing the party Lokpal. Most of the people have disapproved the dismissal of former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas from the Lokpal panel. How would you justify it?
His term had expired…
But you had given him vital assignments after the expiry of his term?
That was a mistake. It does not mean you have to repeat a mistake. The Lokpal should not have become a part of inner party conflict.
He should not have written a letter and when he had written a letter, he should not have leaked it to the press.
The people are comparing the happenings in your party with those of others such as the Congress and the BJP. Why did you not give Yadav and Prashant the opportunity of being heard?
We have not done it the way it is done in other parties. Modi did not attend national executive meeting till Sanjay Joshi was removed.
The expulsion of the two AAP leaders was discussed twice or thrice in the national executive. It was discussed in the national council meeting as well. They were in hopeless minority in the national council. That is why they walked out from the meeting.
What would you say on the audio-sting on Kerjiwal? Did he not use a filthy and abusive language against dissenting leaders?
I do not consider these words as abusive. It is very common in north India. After all, the TV channels aired it. Had it been abusive, they would not have broadcast.
Don’t you think the controversy has dented the image of the party and the leader?
Yes. It has made an adverse impact on the morale of the party. The party will move ahead as the conflict of ideology is over. Our government in Delhi is working hard to solve the problems of the people. Now we have a cohesive party to move forward.
Dramatis personne in the Aam Aadmi party Crisis
Arvind Kejriwal's Comrades NOT in arms
Prashant Bhushan
Supreme Court lawyer. One-time close friend of Kejriwal. Now leads the rebellion along with Yogendra Yadav. Questioned party's selection of candidates in Delhi polls, feels party is moving away from its ideology. Removed from Political Affairs Committee, National Executive. No more the head of AAP National Disciplinary Committee. Walked out of March 28 National Council meet.
Prof Anand Kumar
JNU professor who was one of the main negotiators as party plunged into crisis. Stood with Bhushan-Yadav duo as Kejriwal hardened stand. Removed from NC. Walked out of March 28 National Council meet. Was Bihar state observer for AAP.
Admiral Ramdas
Removed as Party’s internal Lokpal. Perceived to be close to Bhushan. In February, expressed his dismay over the way party affairs were being handled.
Yogendra Yadav
Psephologist now Bhushan's comrade-in-arms. Removed from PAC, NC and as chief spokesperson. Had run-ins with Kejriwal camp soon after Lok Sabha polls on handling of party affairs in Haryana. Questioned Kejriwal on handling dual posts. Walked out of March 28 NC meet.
KEJRI COTERIE
Manish Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister, a friend of many years. A former journalist, he is the virtual number-two in party and government. Led from the front the internal battle against the rebels
Sanjay Singh
Close confidant since India Against Corruption days. Looks after UP affairs.
Kumar Vishwas
Poet and performer. Close friend of Sisodia. Fought against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in Lok Sabha polls. Though initially complained against Kejriwal, now fully with the official faction.
Bhibhav Kumar
Kejriwal’s eyes and ears. The virtual gatekeeper of Kejriwal as he deals with his appointments.
QUOTE HANGER
When the whole Delhi stood behind us, some friends of ours cheated us. I am saying this with a heavy heart that when the whole of Delhi was with us, some friends backstabbed us. Conspiracies were hatched to ensure our defeat in the Delhi polls. — Arvind Kejriwal
It is like a Stalinist purge. —Prashant Bhushan
It was a murder of democracy. Everything played out in accordance with a predetermined script and the resolution was moved and passed within minutes completely disregarding laid down procedures. It was a total farce. —Yogendra Yadav
Political principles are being trampled upon in the party. AAP has become a 'tamasha'. — Medha Patkar, social activist
To think that commentators were actually advising older political parties to be more like AAP, seems AAP has decided to be more like us. —Omar Abdullah, National Conference
With a lot of expectation and high hopes, people of Delhi had chosen the government. The promises, which AAP and its leaders have made with public, they must fulfil them. They should not let this historical opportunity go waste just because of their immature politics. —Arun Jaitley, BJP
AAP since Mar 28
Mar 28: National Council ousts Bhushan and Yadav from National Executive with a 247-8 vote. Dissidents along with supporters walks out from meet. Talk about ‘Stalinist purge’ in party. Medha Patkar resigns from AAP in protest.
Mar 29: AAP releases edited version of Kejriwal’s ‘either me or them’ speech in NC meet. Replaces Admiral Ramdas as Lokpal, Bhushan ousted Disciplinary Committee head.
Mar 30: AAP is "doing alright", Kejriwal says. Rakesh Sinha questions NE decision to remove Bhushan and Ramdas.
Mar 31: AAP removes Yadav from the post of chief spokesperson, appoints a 20-member spokespersons’ panel. Former AAP MLA Rajesh Garg alleges with Kejriwal’s "consent", calls were made to him and several other leaders offering them crores to support BJP.
Apr 1: Ramdas questions AAP claim that his tenure had ended. Christina Samy resigns from NE.
Apr 2: NE members Rakesh Sinha and Vishal Sharma suspended from AAP for questioning removal of Ramdas and Bhushan
The former broadcaster spoke to Anil Sinha of Deccan Herald on the nature and extent of the crisis the AAP is currently undergoing. Though the AAP leader believes that the party will emerge stronger after this crisis, he acknowledges that present controversy has dented the image of the party.
Some people have accused people like you and Khetan of playing a role in alienating founder leaders from the party leadership and in aggravating the crisis.
I do not agree that I have, in any way, contributed to the crisis. There is no reason to believe that the conflict started because of me. This is basically a conflict between old views and new one. The people who have been socialists or ultra-lefts- Yogendra Yadav, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha -were trying to control the party. But they should understand that the old ideologies have failed and do not attract people. All of them have been active in politics since long but could hardly make any impact. Now when the new politics has won, they want to hijack it.
What do you mean by the new politics? Does it have any ideological content?
Yes, of course. It has its own ideology which believes in accountability, transparency and the participatory nature of the system. People want delivery, they want corruption free system. This is our ideology. This is what people were attracted to. This was the core ideology of Anna Hazare’s movement. We have won because we showed our commitment to the people that we would deliver on our promises to the people. We promised we would provide them corruption-free administration and solve their daily life problems like clean area, water and electricity.
So, you do not consider it as a power struggle and a clash between personalities. Why it is that only few people have been targeted?
No, we cannot say that this was only an ideological war. Indeed, there was a power struggle and a clash of personalities. But these two things were only a smaller part of the entire episode. They (Bhushan and Yadvav) wanted to grab the party. Yadav and Bhushan were conspiring against Arvind Kejriwal to remove him from the post of national convener and install Yadav there.
But they (Bhsushan and Yadav) always denied it. You also could not produce any proof of the conspiracy?
Yadav was planting stories in newspapers and we caught him. Shanti Bhushan was openly expressing his views against Kejriwal. Moreover, Prashant Bhushan and Yadav campaigned against party candidates in the last Assembly Elections.
How could Shanti Bhushan declare that Kiran Bedi and Ajay Makan were better chief ministerial candidates than Kejriwal was? The Bhushan are not different people.
All of them campaigned against Kejriwal and the party. All of them are together. How can a party tolerate such things?
But people are not comfortable with your decision of removing the party Lokpal. Most of the people have disapproved the dismissal of former Navy Chief Admiral Ramdas from the Lokpal panel. How would you justify it?
His term had expired…
But you had given him vital assignments after the expiry of his term?
That was a mistake. It does not mean you have to repeat a mistake. The Lokpal should not have become a part of inner party conflict.
He should not have written a letter and when he had written a letter, he should not have leaked it to the press.
The people are comparing the happenings in your party with those of others such as the Congress and the BJP. Why did you not give Yadav and Prashant the opportunity of being heard?
We have not done it the way it is done in other parties. Modi did not attend national executive meeting till Sanjay Joshi was removed.
The expulsion of the two AAP leaders was discussed twice or thrice in the national executive. It was discussed in the national council meeting as well. They were in hopeless minority in the national council. That is why they walked out from the meeting.
What would you say on the audio-sting on Kerjiwal? Did he not use a filthy and abusive language against dissenting leaders?
I do not consider these words as abusive. It is very common in north India. After all, the TV channels aired it. Had it been abusive, they would not have broadcast.
Don’t you think the controversy has dented the image of the party and the leader?
Yes. It has made an adverse impact on the morale of the party. The party will move ahead as the conflict of ideology is over. Our government in Delhi is working hard to solve the problems of the people. Now we have a cohesive party to move forward.
Dramatis personne in the Aam Aadmi party Crisis
Arvind Kejriwal's Comrades NOT in arms
Prashant Bhushan
Supreme Court lawyer. One-time close friend of Kejriwal. Now leads the rebellion along with Yogendra Yadav. Questioned party's selection of candidates in Delhi polls, feels party is moving away from its ideology. Removed from Political Affairs Committee, National Executive. No more the head of AAP National Disciplinary Committee. Walked out of March 28 National Council meet.
Prof Anand Kumar
JNU professor who was one of the main negotiators as party plunged into crisis. Stood with Bhushan-Yadav duo as Kejriwal hardened stand. Removed from NC. Walked out of March 28 National Council meet. Was Bihar state observer for AAP.
Admiral Ramdas
Removed as Party’s internal Lokpal. Perceived to be close to Bhushan. In February, expressed his dismay over the way party affairs were being handled.
Yogendra Yadav
Psephologist now Bhushan's comrade-in-arms. Removed from PAC, NC and as chief spokesperson. Had run-ins with Kejriwal camp soon after Lok Sabha polls on handling of party affairs in Haryana. Questioned Kejriwal on handling dual posts. Walked out of March 28 NC meet.
KEJRI COTERIE
Manish Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister, a friend of many years. A former journalist, he is the virtual number-two in party and government. Led from the front the internal battle against the rebels
Sanjay Singh
Close confidant since India Against Corruption days. Looks after UP affairs.
Kumar Vishwas
Poet and performer. Close friend of Sisodia. Fought against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in Lok Sabha polls. Though initially complained against Kejriwal, now fully with the official faction.
Bhibhav Kumar
Kejriwal’s eyes and ears. The virtual gatekeeper of Kejriwal as he deals with his appointments.
QUOTE HANGER
When the whole Delhi stood behind us, some friends of ours cheated us. I am saying this with a heavy heart that when the whole of Delhi was with us, some friends backstabbed us. Conspiracies were hatched to ensure our defeat in the Delhi polls. — Arvind Kejriwal
It is like a Stalinist purge. —Prashant Bhushan
It was a murder of democracy. Everything played out in accordance with a predetermined script and the resolution was moved and passed within minutes completely disregarding laid down procedures. It was a total farce. —Yogendra Yadav
Political principles are being trampled upon in the party. AAP has become a 'tamasha'. — Medha Patkar, social activist
To think that commentators were actually advising older political parties to be more like AAP, seems AAP has decided to be more like us. —Omar Abdullah, National Conference
With a lot of expectation and high hopes, people of Delhi had chosen the government. The promises, which AAP and its leaders have made with public, they must fulfil them. They should not let this historical opportunity go waste just because of their immature politics. —Arun Jaitley, BJP
AAP since Mar 28
Mar 28: National Council ousts Bhushan and Yadav from National Executive with a 247-8 vote. Dissidents along with supporters walks out from meet. Talk about ‘Stalinist purge’ in party. Medha Patkar resigns from AAP in protest.
Mar 29: AAP releases edited version of Kejriwal’s ‘either me or them’ speech in NC meet. Replaces Admiral Ramdas as Lokpal, Bhushan ousted Disciplinary Committee head.
Mar 30: AAP is "doing alright", Kejriwal says. Rakesh Sinha questions NE decision to remove Bhushan and Ramdas.
Mar 31: AAP removes Yadav from the post of chief spokesperson, appoints a 20-member spokespersons’ panel. Former AAP MLA Rajesh Garg alleges with Kejriwal’s "consent", calls were made to him and several other leaders offering them crores to support BJP.
Apr 1: Ramdas questions AAP claim that his tenure had ended. Christina Samy resigns from NE.
Apr 2: NE members Rakesh Sinha and Vishal Sharma suspended from AAP for questioning removal of Ramdas and Bhushan