Ouster of AAP leaders from National Executive frightening: Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Describing the ouster of AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav from the party's National Executive as "frightening", Shiv Sena on Tuesday said that opposing party chief Arvind Kejriwal on certain matters went against the duo. Taking a dig at Kejriwal, the editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' pointed out that the Janata Party too had stormed to power after defeating Indira Gandhi post emergency period, but the party, which was an amalgamation of several smaller parties, finally disintegrated.

"What is the difference between AAP and other parties? The way in which Bhushan and Yadav was ousted from party's National Executive is frightening. Their crime was only that they opposed Kejriwal. Both of them had supported Kejriwal wholeheartedly. While Bhushan exposed several wrongdoings, Yadav is famous for his political acumen," the editorial, considered to endorse views of party President Uddhav Thackeray, said.

Drawing parallels with Janta Party, it said that destiny seems to be taking AAP towards fate of that party which won the 6th Lok Sabha elections, with its alliances.

"Post the emergency period, people had huge hopes with Janata Party. The way Janata Party was destined to get disintegrated after coming to power, Kejriwal's destiny seems to be taking him the same way," it said.

The Sena said given what has been happening within his party, Kejriwal should cease to preach others about politics.

"From the time Kejriwal has returned from Bengaluru after kicking his cough, he has started the business of kicking his party members out as well. The party is more in news for the rift within than its work after coming to power," it said.

AAP has been facing internal turmoil with senior leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav sacked from the National Executive after being accused of conspiring against the party. Both Yadav and Bhushan have denied the allegations. It also removed internal Lokapal Admiral (retd) L Ramdas and Bhushan from party disciplinary committee. However, Kejriwal, while addressing media yesterday, said that all is well within the party.