The drama, however, is not yet over as Yadav and Bhushan have not ruled out moving court against the 'unconstitutional way' in which they were removed from the National Council.
Along with Yadav and Bhushan, the National Council also removed Anand Kumar and Arvind Jha, who had represented the two during negotiations with Kejriwal's team. Amid allegations of hooliganism, Bhushan accused Kejriwal of having dictatorial tendencies due to which he was "ruthlessly stifling voices of dissent".
"The resolution to remove Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha from the National Executive was passed by 247 members with 10 members voting against it. Fifty-four members did not take part in the voting," said national secretary Pankaj Gupta who was flanked by senior leaders Sanjay Singh, Kumar Vishwas and Ashutosh.
Sources said the natural course of action now would be to refer the allegations of antiparty activities by the four leaders to a disciplinary committee which will take a call on their expulsion from the party.
Terming the National Council meet unconstitutional and illegal, Yadav and Bhushan said all options were open for them, including moving court. "Everything was scripted. The resolution was moved and passed within minutes, completely disregarding the laid down procedures in the party. It is true that we can move the court, the Election Commission or call another meeting of the National Council. All options are open," Bhushan said.
Accusing Kejriwal of using unfair means, the duo alleged that his people got goons to the NC meeting who beat up members opposing the resolution. Denying this, Sanjay Singh said, "There is no truth in their allegations and the decision to remove them was taken following due procedures."
The day started with high drama as Yadav sat on a dharna outside the meeting venue, alleging that many National Council members were not being allowed inside after he made public a letter by party's internal Lokpal Admiral Ramdas in which he said he was not being allowed to attend Saturday's meeting.
The two leaders alleged that during his speech, Kejriwal threatened to resign if they were not removed from the national executive. "He threatened to resign if we were not removed. Then 10 people including MLAs like Kapil Mishra stood up and started shouting slogans calling us traitors. Those who opposed this were roughed up, but nobody said anything," Yadav said.
He further said Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai was made the chairperson of the meet after Kejriwal left. "Suddenly Sisodia came and said 167 members have moved the resolution and voting on that began without even getting it seconded by any other person. We asked Rai to allow a debate and make arrangements for secret vote, but he did not react," Yadav alleged.
Rejecting the vote details given out by the Kejriwal camp, the two leaders alleged there was bogus voting in the meeting. Bhushan said Kejriwal came fully prepared to kick them out. "Whatever Kejriwal was heard saying in a sting yesterday was played out in entirety in today's meeting. There was no distinction between the members and others. There was no discussion, no secret vote, no showing of votes in the meeting," he said.
Yadav alleged that NC member Ramzan Chaudhry was assaulted by two bouncers who dragged him out and started beating him.
Meanwhile, other political parties ridiculed AAP over its internal turmoil. The Congress said the "laboratory of AAP experiment is on fire" and accused Kejriwal of demeaning his party and the political class.
Ridicule
Taking a dig at AAP, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it was becoming more like older parties.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the AAP should fulfil the promises it had made to the public during the Delhi Assembly polls and that people of the city had a lot of expectations when they voted for this government.
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