Prashant Bhushan questions move to refer rebels' cases to disciplinary panel

NEW DELHI: Rebel AAP leader Prashant Bhushan today questioned the party's move to referred the case involving him, Yogendra Yadav and two other dissidents to the Disciplinary Committee, saying the formation of the panel "was itself illegal in nature".

Bhushan said the decision of Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to refer the case to the disciplinary committee was illegal because "the formation of the national disciplinary committee by the National Executive was itself illegal in nature after the National Council meeting".

Bhushan, Yadav, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha were dropped from top panels of the party at the National Council meeting last month. Yesterday, in a step ahead towards their expulsion from the party, the PAC referred their names to the disciplinary committee.

Bhushan had been heading the disciplinary committee until he was removed from the panel last month. The three-member committee is now headed by Dinesh Waghela and its other members are Pankaj Gupta and Ashish Khetan, all of them Kejriwal loyalists.

Bhushan also questioned the role of Gupta and Khetan as they had levelled allegations against him and Yadav. "Pankaj Gupta had levelled allegations against me and had even issued a press release against me. Ashish Khetan too had levelled several allegations. How can these people listen to our cases?" Bhushan asked.

AAP leader Ahustosh said that the disciplinary committee will start process and the rebel leaders will now be served show-cause notices.

"They will be given enough time to put up their view points. The committee will decide whether their reply is satisfactory or not, if not, disciplinary action will be taken," he said.

Responding to the notice, Kumar said "certainly, we are loyal members of party. If party asks me to explain charges, I will do it, will respond effectively."

Asked about the move, Yadav said, "As and when the notice comes, will respond to it".