Former Comrade Accuses Arvind Kejriwal of Being Responsible for Delhi Election Defeat
Expelled AAP Co-founder Blames Arvind Kejriwal for Delhi Debacle
In the aftermath of the recent Delhi election defeat, Prashant Bhushan, the now-expelled co-founder of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has pointed fingers at his former colleague and AAP’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, for the party’s downfall. Bhushan accused Kejriwal of deviating from the original vision of AAP as a transparent and democratic platform for alternative politics.
Transformation of AAP
In a scathing post on social media, Bhushan criticized Kejriwal for turning AAP into a non-transparent and corrupt party, far from its initial ideals of transparency, accountability, and democracy. He highlighted Kejriwal’s lavish lifestyle, including the construction of a luxurious residence and the dismissal of expert committee reports for expedient policies.
The ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy
The BJP coined the term ‘Sheesh Mahal’ to accuse Kejriwal of corruption and misuse of government funds in renovating the Chief Minister’s residence. This allegation became central to the BJP’s campaign against AAP, posing a significant challenge for the party during the elections.
A Warning from the Past
Bhushan shared a 10-year-old open letter addressed to Kejriwal, written after their expulsion from AAP in 2015. In the letter, Bhushan likened their removal to Stalinist purges of dissenters and warned Kejriwal about the consequences of deviating from the party’s founding principles of clean and principled politics.
AAP’s Defeat and Kumar Vishwas’ Criticism
After the BJP’s victory in Delhi, former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas took a swipe at the party’s leadership, expressing disappointment in their defeat. He criticized the arrogance displayed by some AAP leaders when in power and emphasized the need for humility and learning from mistakes.
Looking Ahead
As AAP grapples with its defeat and internal turmoil, the party faces a critical juncture in redefining its identity and regaining public trust. The fallout between Bhushan and Kejriwal serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of sustaining a grassroots movement in the realm of mainstream politics. As the political landscape continues to evolve, AAP must reflect on its core values and reevaluate its leadership to stay true to its founding principles.