File photo of Prashant Bhushan with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal
Expelled Aam Aadmi Party leader Prashant Bhushan has lashed out at Arvind Kejriwal, calling him "shameless" and a "hypocrite", after the Delhi Chief Minister said he would be happy if the activist-lawyer, along with Yogendra Yadav, returned to the party fold.
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Bhushan said that "after abusing" and "orchestrating a physical attack by his MLAs in the NC meeting, Kejriwal wants us back! Hypocrite Shameless!"
The 59-year-old was referring to the party's National Executive meeting in March where he alleged that Mr Kejriwal's loyalists beat his and Yogendra Yadav's supporters and used bouncers to drag them out.
Mr Bhushan's remarks came after Mr Kejriwal, in an interview with
TV Today, said he would be happy if the two leaders returned to the party.
"
Agar aisa hua to bahut achcha hoga (If it happens, it will be very good). Their return will be good for the party," the AAP chief said, denying allegations that his dictatorial attitude was preventing their return.
Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav, founder members of the Aam Aadmi Party or AAP, were sacked in April for "anti-party activities". Both leaders alleged they were forced out of the party for demanding more transparency and internal democracy. The duo later formed the 'Swaraj Abhiyan.'
But AAP leader Mayank Gandhi, who had earlier criticised attempts to remove Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav from the party, today called on the leaders to mend their differences.