File picture of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
The negotiations to end the infighting in the Aam Aadmi Party ended in bitter acrimony on Thursday as the party headed for a showdown at Saturday's National Council meeting. While AAP concluded the negotiations failed and decided to vote on the fate of dissenters Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, allegations and counter-allegations went on till late in the night.
Here are the latest developments:
After yet another meeting in the evening, AAP accused Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan of still working to dislodge party chief Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders said the allegations were lies and claimed the talks were a mere cover for seeking their resignation.
At a press conference held late at night, Mr Bhushan said he never asked for Mr Kejriwal's resignation. "Total lies. Shocked and disappointed with seniors members of the PAC," he said.
At a counter-press conference held by the party minutes later, senior leader Sanjay Singh said, "Talks were ended in such a manner that it shows that their ego was more important than the condition of the party."
"Kejriwal was ready to give up post of National Convenor for Yadav and Bhushan. He said we have fought against many people but I can't fight against Yadav and Bhushan," added senior leader Ashutosh.
Earlier this evening, after a meeting at Mr Kejriwal's residence, party leader Manish Sisodia tweeted, "Talks with PB and YY failed. They insisting on removing AK from National Conv post. NC to decide on 28 July weather to remove AK or not! (sic)"
The decision, he said, will be taken through a vote. Mr Yadav and Mr Bhushan have already been sacked from the powerful Political Affairs Committee.
AAP claimed on March 17 they received a letter from Mr Yadav and Mr Bhusan in which the two offered to resign all posts if their demands were accepted. In the garb of demands - which have been met -- the real intention of the two leaders was to dethrone Mr Kejriwal, the party said.
Soon after, Mr Bhusan and Mr Yadav shot off an open letter to Mr Kejriwal, saying they had not resigned and their demands were never met. "We realised that the aim of the talks was not to resolve our issues... the interlocutors wanted us to resign from the National Executive," the letter said.
AAP had been officially hopeful of resolving the matter before the National Council meeting on Saturday. This was the second meeting held within 24 hours.
The dissent within the party, which surfaced days after it swept the assembly elections in Delhi, has reflected in key issues like including volunteers in decision-making and giving more powers to the party's state units.
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