Binny's rebellion leaves Aam Aadmi Party red faced

Difference in the ruling AAP came out in the open on Thursday with MLA Vinod Kumar Binny calling Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a “dictator” and threatening to go on a hunger strike from January 27 to protest against the party’s failure to keep its election promises.

Faced with its worst crisis yet, the party shot back by threatening to issue a show-cause notice to him. Binny, 39, besides calling Kejriwal a dictator, called internal democracy of the party a sham, alleged collusion between the AAP and the Congress and criticised the AAP for not fulfilling promises made before the Assembly elections.

“You (Kejriwal) have become a dictator. Stop fooling the people of Delhi,” he said, alleging that Kejriwal did not like people disagreeing with his unilateral decisions.Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav claimed that Binny was tutored by the BJP and clarified that he would be issued a show-cause notice for indiscipline.

“Binny was part of the decision-making body of the party — the screening committee — but did not raise his voice during its meetings,” Yadav said, denying Binny’s allegations that tickets to candidates were not given in a democratic manner and decisions were made in advance.

It appeared that the Laxmi Nagar legislator’s attacks on the party were virtually aimed at daring the party to expel him and reduce its strength in the Assembly. There were speculations that Binny was not the only disgruntled MLA in the AAP. Three other legislators were sympathising with him. 

A possible disciplinary action or expulsion from party would, in a way, help Binny, who has clarified that he would not quit the party. 

Binny’s outburst on a chilly morning came in the backdrop of Kejriwal’s claim that the legislator was agitated for being denied a Cabinet berth and overlooked for a Lok Sabha election ticket, a charge denied by Binny.