Kejriwal, Vishwas mend fences as AAP crisis blows over

The dark clouds that had engulfed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after the recent Delhi civic polls debacle blew over on Wednesday with the top leadership placating a warring Kumar Vishwas with a new role and suspending an MLA who had attacked him.

The decision came at a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the highest decision-making body in AAP, chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which was attended by Vishwas who had earlier given it a miss.

The PAC meeting was called after Vishwas dramatically declared on Tuesday evening that he would take a decision on continuing in the party and launched a veiled attack on Kejriwal and other leaders, saying the voice of the cadre is not getting enough traction in the party.

Vishwas, who at present only handles overseas funding, was made in-charge of the party in Rajasthan where Assembly polls is due next year while the leadership also suspended MLA Amanatullah Khan from the party for his comments against the poet-turned politician.

"I stand by my party. I assure that whenever AAP needs course correction, we will sit together again. This dialogue was necessary and I am thankful that it is happening now," Vishwas told reporters after the PAC meeting. Khan said it was not the right time to comment on his suspension from the party.

Khan tweeted in the evening, “I respect the decision taken by the party. I will try to ensure that the party does not suffer due to my actions.”

Vishwas had earlier defied Kejriwal's diktat not to air their views and grievances before cameras. The mission to keep Vishwas within the party was launched on Tuesday evening itself by Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Kejriwal had visited Vishwas at his residence late last night and took him to the Chief Minister's residence where they discussed a compromise formula. Sources said Vishwas wanted the party to take strict action against Khan, who said that the former was trying to overthrow Kejriwal's leadership. Khan also accused Vishwas of trying to join the BJP and that some MLAs were with him.

The indication of Vishwas mellowing came on Wednesday morning when he drove to Kejriwal's residence for the PAC meeting. However, people close to him said he was adamant on his demands.

Sources said Kejriwal might have managed to extract a truce in the party for now but Vishwas' detractors like Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh may wait for an opportunity to get back at him. Questions would also be raised over the suspension of Khan, saying he faced action while Vishwas escaped unhurt.

The party was facing a huge crisis for the second time in little over a year. Earlier, founder members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav left the party after the huge Delhi Assembly election victory, claiming that several undesirable elements were given poll tickets.