The grass root workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday came out seeking an explanation for choosing the names of Delhi-based businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant Narain Dass Gupta as the nominations for the Upper House.
A group of volunteers had gathered outside Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, wanting to meet him and ask him the reason for nominating the two outsiders.
“We have no hard feelings for the AAP and we believe if these names were chosen by the leadership they will have credibility, we just want to discuss the reasons for the choice,” said a volunteer who was waiting outside the gate.
AAP founder leader Kumar Vishwas’s supporters have also been demanding an explanation for the choice of two “unknown outsiders” over loyal party leaders for the Rajya Sabha.
Against principles
Mr. Vishwas claimed that he was approached by a bunch of MLAs promising him their vote if he chooses to nominate himself for the Rajya Sabha seat.
However, he said that it was against his principles to override the party’s decision to gain any benefit.
“I have time and again repeated that personal issues are secondary and the interest of the party is primary. I respect the decision of leadership,” he said.
An MLA, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a leader like Mr. Vishwas has a better capability of expressing the voice of the people of Delhi and the party than any outsider who have no involvement in the AAP.
AAP’s Delhi convenor Gopal Rai addressed the volunteers in the evening via a Facebook Live session. “This is all a ploy to topple the AAP government. Vishwas ji was our initial choice but after deliberations and his comments in the past it was felt that it would mar the party’s chances,” Mr. Rai said.
