Putting an end to all the speculations, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rebel leader and lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Saturday denied reports that he may quit the party, saying, "My grievances are with Kejriwal, not with the party."
Bhushan, who is holidaying at his home near Palampur town, accused Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of turning AAP into a "high command-oriented" party and betraying the trust of lakhs of supporters.
In an open letter to Kejriwal, Bhushan said, "God and history will not forgive what you are doing to the party."
"I would not quit. My grievances are with Kejriwal, not party," said the AAP's founder member, who initially was reluctant to talk. He, however, escaped from making further comments stating that he was in Himachal to take some rest.
Meanwhile, one of his close aides at Palampur said Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav had decided not to make any statement before the media till April 14. Bhushan and Yadav were expelled from AAP's national executive on March 28 for 'anti-party activities'.
Speculations were rife that the duo may quit AAP and form a new party. Consultations with their supports slated for April 14 is being seen as a move to test the political waters and draw a strategy accordingly.
{{/usCountry}}Speculations were rife that the duo may quit AAP and form a new party. Consultations with their supports slated for April 14 is being seen as a move to test the political waters and draw a strategy accordingly.
{{/usCountry}}
"We have been urging them to form a new party but both (Bhushan and Yadav), so far, are reluctant," said Bhushan' aide.
This is Bhushan's second visit to Palampur since crisis erupted in the party. Earlier, he was in Palampur in March after his open letter to the party triggered a storm. Bhushan at that time had alleged that the party was becoming 'one- person centric' and 'funds being spent in an arbitrary manner'.
He is likely to return to Delhi on Sunday morning.