Arvind Kejriwal, flanked by AAP leaders, addresses supporters during a rally in New Delhi on August 3, 2014. (Agence France-Presse photo)
The Aam Aadmi Party has decided to go national and contest elections in other states, in what is seen as a message ahead of a crucial party meeting, that reconciliation is in the air.
The party's expansion was strongly advocated by founder member Yogendra Yadav and was said to be one of the reasons for the friction with party chief Arvind Kejriwal, which led to Mr Yadav and another senior leader Prashant Bhushan being sacked from a key party panel, the Political Affairs Committee or PAC.
It was at a meeting of the PAC at Mr Kejriwal's home last night, the first since Mr Yadav and Mr Bhushan were removed, that the decision to go national and to enroll active volunteers was taken.
AAP's Sanjay Singh, a member of the PAC tweeted, "AAP will expand, colleagues will get responsibilities in states, volunteers will have a role in decision-making."
Yogendra Yadav welcomed the decision in a series of tweets. He called it a "step in the right direction," and also said, "PAC's decision to involve volunteers in party's decision-making recognizes Swaraj within the party. Looking forward to detailed blueprint."
Sources said the Kejriwal camp in AAP wants to ensure it has the backing of a majority if the need for any kind of vote arises at the National Council meeting of 300 members next week. Also, they said, the party wants to send a clear message to volunteers in states, who make up the bulk of the party's cadres, that Mr Kejriwal in not opposed to contesting elections in some states where the party's organisational strength is good.
"Among the state volunteers, there is a large number that supports Yadav. If there is any kind of crisis in the NC, we need to have numbers on our side," said a senior AAP leader. "Most NC members are from different states. Yadav has been appeasing the state committees by strongly projecting himself as someone who bats for them. More importantly, he also has influence with the state units," he added.
Mr Kejriwal returned to Delhi after a 10-day break at a Bengaluru health camp this week and immediately sent a team of senior leaders to talk truce with Mr Yadav.