NEW DELHI: What began as a revolution of hope at Jantar Mantar in 2011 has come full circle with a revolt brewing against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cohorts. Soon, Jantar Mantar may be the scene of protests by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers against the K-caucus. Rebellious state leaders are pushing for change at the local level, where the party is unable to attract members or workers.
Both domestic and foreign funding has dried up. While once NRIs had taken sabbatical from their careers to join AAP with significant donations, the party has now stopped displaying the details of donations. The Centre is now examining the source of foreign funds, forcing the party to cry wolf.
Last week, Kejriwal had offered the disgruntled Kumar Vishwas responsibility for the party’s poll push for Rajasthan in 2018 instead of the Rajya Sabha ticket he had been hoping for, say insiders. However, they feel the CM is up to his usual tricks since the party has little hope of conquering Rajasthan. This may prompt Vishwas to hop across to the BJP, which is waiting in the wings.
AAP leaders feel the crisis-ridden party is heading for a possible split. Local leaders from Punjab, Goa and Maharashtra will meet Kejriwal later this month to push for change, to which the top brass may agree. Major changes in party are in the offing too. The Maharashtra unit that failed to attract volunteers will organise two outreach programmes on May 9 and 10, but so far the applicants are just a few dozen.
Goa leaders oppose Arvind Kejriwal’s previous decision of making Elvis Gomes the torchbearer for the state election where AAP candidates lost their deposits in 38 seats of 39.
“Gomes was facing corruption charges in a land scam. He had joined the party just five months before the election. He couldn’t manage to win even his own seat,” says a Goa volunteer. They want responsibility for the successive electoral debacles in Punjab, Goa and Delhi to be fixed.
“The discussions at almost every meeting make it clear the party needs a repair job,” a senior party leader said.