AAP leader Yogendra Yadav holds a press conference in New Delhi
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav, who has claimed that he, and senior party leader Prashant Bhushan are being forced out of AAP for demanding more transparency and internal democracy held a press conference in New Delhi.
Here are the highlights of his speech at the press conference:
- Events of the last one month have dashed the hopes of many AAP volunteers.
- AAP is a product of a unique movement in India's democracy. It was a movement to give power back to the people.
- This party is here to establish a new paradigm and the people have high hope from this party.
- But we must admit, this is the only party that is discussing inner-party democracy, transparency and how the volunteers can find their voice.
- The issues that are being raised are not our personal issues. They are fundamental to the movement.
- People are connected with the spirit of the revolution which created the Aam Aadmi Party.
- The fundamental issue was to create a party that fought for 'Swaraj'.
- We raised the issue of autonomy of state units - they should be empowered to decide on panchayat and municipal polls.
- AAP is the only party discussing code of conduct, conflict of interest, and internal democracy. This isn't a small thing.
- We asked for the internal AAP Lokpal to investigate various issues like cheques for Rs 2 crores.
- We said that the standards of transparency that we hold the world to must apply to AAP as well.
- We take satisfaction from the fact that we have been able to begin a discussion on these issues.
- There is a difference between a resignation letter and a conditional offer to resign.
- According to the AAP Constitution, only the national executive can decide on the convenor and not the national council.
- It is unfair to Arvind Kejriwal to link all questions raised to the national convenor. Arvind Bhai's (Brother Arvind's) associates are doing him a disservice.
- Biggest question is whether AAP has become a party like any other political party now... Will AAP be just like any other regional party now?
- There are reports that I have been calling people up, urging them to make me party convenor. This is not true. (Yogendra Yadav gets a NC member Mohit to explain and talk about this.)
- If our demands are not met, we will place these issues before the volunteers and the national council.
- We wanted matters to be investigated within the party by the internal Lokpal.
- Why should anyone have to resign based on a set of allegations? We just wanted matters investigated within the party.
- We are willing to talk to Arvind Kejriwal, if he can take out time. Volunteers are sending letters to me and Prashant. They want the party to be united.
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan addresses the media:
- I had sent Arvind Kajriwal an SMS on March 16, and told him we should speak to each other for the benefit of the Aam Aadmi Party.
- But unfortunately, in 11 days, he hasn't found the time to meet us.
- He authorised some people to speak on his behalf. People came and met Yogendra ji twice.
- From their side two issues were repeatedly raised - our resignation, and referring 4 cases to our internal Lokpal.
- They said we should not mention any issues that raises questions about the top leadership of the party.
- We were repeatedly asked to resign, and were told that Arvind Kejriwal can't work with us anymore.
- Why were we being asked to resign? On whose behest?
- I am trying to understand why Arvind felt that we wanted to split from the party.
- Arvind Kejriwal wanted to decide on taking Congress' support all by himself (to form the government in Delhi), but I urged him to refer the matter to the National Executive.
- Arvind Kejriwal wants his writ to prevail all the time. I have told him he needs people in the national executive who hold an independent opinion.
- Arvind has 2 fatal weaknesses, and I have told him so.
- I've told Arvind that it's not enough to just have good intent. The means we adopt are equally important.
- Even if our demands are accepted today, we will quit all executive posts within the party.
- It was told that we didn't want Arvind Kejriwal to be national convenor, that was also a lie.
- National Council meets used to be videographed, the last one wasn't, despite our request. We have written so that tomorrow's meet is videographed.
- We have been told that MLAs have been asked to get to the meeting with 50 supporters each.
- I want to request all volunteers that people who are not members or invitees of the National Council should not go there.
- There should be no incident that negatively impact the image of AAP.