AAP sacks Bhushan, Yadav from top body

New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) The AAP announced Wednesday that it had ousted two top leaders, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, out of its decision-making Political Affairs Committee (PAC).

Party spokesman Kumar Vishwas made the announcement after a nearly six-hour meeting of the National Executive that followed a virtual war between the two leaders and loyalists of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"The National Executive passed a resolution and it has been decided that Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav will not serve the PAC any more. They will be given new responsibilities in the party," he said.

He underlined that the Aam Aadmi Party remained a united force and would do all it can to meet the aspirations of the people of Delhi and the country.

"Everyone (in the party) will together take the party forward," he added.

The National Executive also rejected Kejriwal's offer to resign as the national convenor.

The nine-member PAC is the supreme body in the AAP, which was formed in 2012 and which stormed to power in Delhi last month by sweeping 67 of the 70 seats in the assembly.

Wednesday's meeting was called after Bhushan and Yadav were accused by Kejriwal supporters of leading a virtual rebellion against the AAP leader.

Earlier, Bhushan, a Supreme Court lawyer and an AAP founder, told the media: "We have been told that for the time being we are no more in the PAC."

He declined to elaborate and walked away, looking somewhat shaken.

Speaking separately, Yadav, a known political pundit, said the AAP decision would be announced by the party and he was no more authorized to make announcements on behalf of the party.

"As a disciplined worker of the party, I will try to fulfil whatever role is assigned to me to the best of my capacity."

He added: "The AAP has been formed with the sweat and labour of people. It should never dash people's hopes."