Supporting Yadav-Bhushan's 'Swaraj Samvad' anti-party, says AAP's Maharashtra unit

MUMBAI: Aam Aadmi Party's Maharashtra unit today cautioned party workers in a fresh reminder that supporting the campaign of former leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan will be considered as an "anti- party" activity.

Party national spokesperson and senior leader in the state, Preeti Sharma Menon told PTI here that they have issued a fresh directive that bars workers and volunteers from associating with the campaign of Yadav and Bhushan.

"Most volunteers do not know what kind of campaign it is and has been launched to uproot the party, hence, the state unit has decided to inform workers and volunteers about it," she said.

She said it may a distant possibility as well that many volunteers might not be aware that Bhushan and Yadav are no longer a part of AAP, and hence, unknowingly associate with their campaign.

Senior leaders Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Ajit Jha and Anand Kumar were purged from all party posts last month.

"Our party is clearing the air on this issue so that the volunteers may not be misled by any faction or group," Menon added.

The fresh reminder has come amid reports that the Yadav-Bhushan camp has sought mass-resignation from AAP volunteers from May 4 onwards under 'Swarak Samvad' campaign, citing that there is "no democracy left" within the party.

AAP's Maharashtra unit had yesterday issued a statement in press stating that the State Executive has already passed a resolution to this effect that supporting the 'Swaraj Samwad Abhiyan' will be considered an "anti-party" activity.

"The State Executive, led by Convener Subhash Ware is confident that concerns of AAP volunteers can be addressed within the party and not through some external outfit as some have been misled into believing.

State Executive exhorts the volunteers to not participate in activities of Swaraj Samwad. A violation of this directive will invite strict action as per the directives of the National Executive," the statement read.