Yadav, Bhushan removed from National Executive

New Delhi, March 28, 2015 (Agencies) The AAP founder members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan have been removed from the party’s National Executive at the National Council meeting held on Saturday..

A resolution to remove Mr. Bhushan and Mr. Yadav was passed with thumping majority at the meeting. Mr. Yadav’s supporters Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha were also removed from the National Executive. While answering questions, Mr. Yadav said "Democracy has been murdered in the National Council meeting."

He added "There was bogus voting in the meeting. Many of the National Council members who supported us were injured."

Mr. Bhushan alleged "Goons were brought to the meeting. Our supporters were beaten up inside the meeting. The meeting was a total farce.

"Whatever Kejriwal was heard saying in a sting yesterday was played out in the entirety in today’s meeting," Mr. Bhushan said. Earlier, the all-important Aam Aadmi Party's National Council began on stormy note in New Delhi.

When AAP leader Yogendra Yadav came to the venue, followed by Mr. Bhushan, he witnessed some sloganeering from a group of volunteers.

A senior party official said the party has decided to videograph the National Council meeting as per the request of Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan.

The AAP volunteers shouted slogans of "Yogendra murdabad" as he struggles to talk to reporters.

Mr. Yadav said, "I had never thought that such a day would come when the party's volunteers would want me instead of corruption dead. I pray that God gives good sense to those against me and request our cadres to stay home instead of coming here."

Another AAP leader and Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba said, "We got votes on the slogan five saal for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Whoever is trying to hurt him should be punished." AAP MP from Sangrur, Punjab, Bhagwant Mann said "This sea of people is a family; whoever is trying to harm it should be done away with."

Mr. Yadav said, "Every MLA was given ten buses to get supporters to heckle me; what is happening to the movement is sad."

He added, "Whenever political power, money and the will to change the system collide — the latter always prevails."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrrived for the National Council meeting a few minutes later.

AAP leader and founder member of the party Anand Kumar said, "Many National Council members have been barred



from comping, participating in National Executive meet on flimsy grounds."

Mr. Yadav sat on a dharna at venue of National Executive meeting as 'his volunteers' being denied entry for the meeting, and refused to enter the meeting which was already underway.

Earlier on the day, Mr. Yadav shared a letter on Twitter from Retd Admiral L. Ramdas, AAP-Lokpal, stating he will not be present in person at the NC meeting because he was told by the party general secretary that "only MLAs and MPs have been invited apart from authorised NC members."

Retd. Adm. Ramdas went on state that "despite many requests as I as Lokpal be present... I have decided to honour the request by not attending the meeting."

A party source said the proposals to remove Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan from the National Executive and the party, will be tabled at the meeting.

AAP leader Ashutosh said "What does Mr. Yadav mean by 'his supporters'? If he's sitting on dharna, it is his right."

A report of AAP Delhi unit questioning Mr. Yadav's and Mr. Bhushan's "style of functioning" will be tabled at the meeting. Mr. Yadav, still to enter venue, is still discussing why those who "have right to enter" not being allowed at the gate.

Mr. Kejriwal left the AAP National Council meeting venue.

Sources added that the proposal, to remove Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan from National Council, has been moved.

Heavy contingents of police and RAF have been deployed in the vicinity of the resort, where NC members are being allowed inside after registering at a counter.

Members who fails to show identification, mobile number, and SMS invite are being denied entry.

However, in the build-up to the meeting, the Prashant Bhushan-Yogendra Yadav camp said that it won’t be easy to remove them from the party.

“They can remove us from the National Executive but not from the party. If we have to be removed from the party, the matter has to be referred to the Lokpal or the disciplinary committee."

Both the groups claimed to have the numbers with them, ahead of the National Council meeting. The party’s constitution states that action cannot be taken by the party unless the member is given an opportunity to explain his stand.

The National Council, the third most important body of AAP, has over 350 members. The meeting will also be attended by AAP MLAs and MPs.