New Delhi: Amid rumours of a possible split in Delhi’s ruling AAP, a meeting of its apex body – Political Affairs Committee (PAC) – is currently underway where senior party leaders will decide whether poet-politician Kumar Vishwas will stay in the party or quit.According to reports, the PAC meet is taking place at Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, which is also being attended by top AAP leaders including Kumar Vishwas, Atishi Marlena and Ashutosh among others.
Kumar Vishwas – one of the founding members of the AAP – has been in news over allegations that he wanted to replace Arvind Kejriwal as the party convenor and Chief Minister of Delhi.
Viswas had yesterday threatened to quit the party over growing attacks on him by a ‘coterie’ surrounding Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal.
Viswas had accused its leaders of conspiring against him and said that he won`t compromise with his principles and will soon take a call on his future action.
“I know I will be targeted. The efforts to tarnish my image will be made. But let me tell those conspirators that I will not allow you to do so,” Vishwas had told reporters without taking any name.
He also flatly denied that he wanted to be the convenor of AAP.
“I have already said 10 times and even to Arvind (Kejriwal) and Manish (Sisodia) and the party that I don`t want to be the Chief Minister, Deputy CM or the convenor,” he said.
The 46-year-old AAP leader had said yesterday that he “will take a decision very soon.”
On Tuesday night, Arvind Kejriwal along with his deputy Manish Sisodia met Vishwas, who is expected to announce today whether he will stay on in AAP or quit.
“Kumar Vishwas is inherent part of our movement…he is upset, but I’m hopeful that we will be able to convince him,” Kejriwal said after meeting at his Ghaziabad home yesterday.
Rumours about Vishwas’ growing proximity to the BJP have swirled ever since he had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi some times back.
He had earlier denied any plan to join to the BJP.
On Tuesday too, he brought up his praise of PM Modi, saying he felt no need to apologise for it.
Kumar Vishwas, a popular Hindi poet and satirist with a mass following, was accused this week of plotting a coup to overthrow Kejriwal as AAP chief. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan had alleged that if he failed in his takeover bid, Vishwas planned to join the BJP taking with him several AAP legislators.
Khan was divested of a key party post for going public with his allegations as Kejriwal tried to placate Vishwas.
AAP insiders also claim that Vishwas is also looking for a bigger role in the party – a charge which he denies.
Vishwas is currently only responsible for overseas funding. Going by AAP sources, a promotion is planned for him in a big organisational shake-up being initiated by Kejriwal.
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