Unrest in party: AAP has become Khap, says Shanti Bhushan

NEW DELHI: A day before its national council (NC) meeting, AAP has sent suspension notices to about 40 members across the country while about 100 others have not been invited, raising apprehension of “cleansing'' the party of dissidents, alleged Shanti Bhushan.

Lashing out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Bhushan on Sunday said he and some other founding members had been observing the “fall of morals and values“ of the party for a long time. “AAP has become khap,“ he said.

In fact, senior Supreme Court lawyer and Swaraj Abhiyan member Pras hant Bhushan claimed in a tweet on Saturday, “More than 100300 NC members of AAP not invited for the NC meet. Those who asked told they are suspended for anti-party activities.“

Shanti Bhushan said the manner in which the NC meeting was being cal led was illegal as members were not informed. Founder mem bers were also issued suspension notices without adequate notices, he said.

Bhushan said he would challenge the illegalities and the Election Commission. Describing AAP as a one-man party , Bhushan said Kejriwal had become the “epitome of corruption“ by aligning with RJD chief Lalu Prasad. The showcause notices accuse the members of “anti-party'' activities and in many cases, only a few days have been given for filing responses. Members, many of whom have been associated with the India Against Corruption movement and are founder mem bers, have cried foul at the disregard for norms. This is the first NC meeting after March when Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav were ousted.

Delhi-based Asna Nausheen, a founder member who has been associated with IAC, said no information related to the NC was sent though according to party rules, she should have re ceived 21 days' notice. “We joined AAP on the basis of an ideology and continue to be associated it with it because we find that most important. But I don't agree with a lot of things being done. Does that make me anti-party? I was just given two days to respond to the notice,“ she said, adding that attempts were being made to remove members from the core group.

Nagpur district secretary Rajesh Pugulia, who also received a notice, lashed out at the “AAP coterie“ and demanded evidence of any wrongdoing.Pugulia said “cronies, traitors and corrupt-minded'' had taken over the party and were trying to manipulate the NC meet by suspending members.