Anti-corruption activist and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mayank Gandhi, who had raised questions on the sacking of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from the party, on Wednesday resigned from the national executive (NE) on the grounds that he had been losing interest in politics and would not like to continue.
Announcing his resignation on his blog in a letter to AAP president Arvind Kejriwal, Mr. Gandhi wrote, “I have been losing interest in politics for some time and I think it is unfair to continue to be a member on the NE with this mindset.Hope you will find some capable representatives from Maharashtra.”
“It has been a wonderful experience working with many of you from January 2011 and being part of the change in this country. I pray and hope that this transformation continues and accelerates in the coming months and years and leads to a resurgent India. Arvind, India has a lot of hope from you,” said Mr. Gandhi in his blog post.
Mr. Gandhi was sidelined by the party since March this year when he questioned the decisions taken at the national executive meeting on March 4 at which Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan were voted out of the Political Affairs Committee.
He had demanded that the party release the minutes of the national executive meeting. Mr Gandhi’s demands were dubbed ‘anti-party’ by supporters of Mr. Kejriwal.
Mr. Gandhi has been repeatedly questioning the changes in the AAP and the emergence of a high command culture centred on Mr. Kejriwal. On November 9, he protested against the removal of Chicago-based Munish Raizada, who created the website >http://www.lokpal.us , a platform where party workers can air their views on internal decisions of the party.
“AAP removes Dr. Munish for creating http://www.lokpal.us for volunteers. What’s wrong with these guys? Why so highhanded?,” tweeted Mr. Gandhi, adding, “Dr. Munish operates in Chicago, earns, leaves family 2come work4party in all elections. Today he is anti-party? Why? for lokpal.us?”
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Gandhi said his decision came ahead of the national executive meeting scheduled for November 24.
“I joined the India Against Corruption movement in 2011. In 2015, I believe the country has changed for the better. I am not comfortable with the competitive, dog-eat-dog kind of politics. So I felt that I should resign, and someone else should get a chance to replace me from Maharashtra,” Mr. Gandhi said.
Asked if he would join the Swaraj Abhiyan movement started by Mr. Yadav and Mr. Bhushan, Mr. Gandhi said, “No. I am not seeking any more opportunities in politics. If I had to, then the AAP was the best party for me, and I was on the national executive of the party. I will go back to studying and researching spiritualism.”