Arvind Kejriwal refuses to accept AAP leader Ashutosh’s resignation

Ashutosh, a former TV journalist who uses just his first name, had earlier on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party, citing personal reasons.

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday rejected party leader Ashutosh’s resignation, asking how could they accept it.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with Ashutosh during an Aam Aadmi Party event. (Reuters File Photo)

“How can we ever accept ur resignation?,” Kejriwal said in a tweet, adding dramatically, “No, not in this birth” in Hindi.

Ashutosh, a former TV journalist who uses just his first name, had earlier on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party, citing personal reasons.

“Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end. I have resigned from the PARTY/requested PAC [political action committee] to accept the same. It is purely from a very very personal reason. Thanks to party/all of them who supported me Throughout (sic). Thanks,” he tweeted.

Ashutosh often defended the party in TV news debates, but felt sidelined in recent months, sources said. He was not in AAP’s list of three candidates for a Rajya Sabha seat earlier this year. He has not visited AAP Delhi’s office and kept away from important party activities for the last few months, sources said.

He lost the 2014 Lok Sabha election in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency to union environment minister Harsh Vardhan.