Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did it most infamously last year, and followed through on the offer, a decision he spent a year apologising for. But that didn't prevent him from doing it again, offering to quit as national convener in June 2014. And then once more in February this year. And once more in March. Now it appears that sidelined leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan have also jumped into the game.
Reports suggest that Yadav and Bhushan, who have been sparring with the 'Kejriwal camp' over the future of the party, have written a letter to the Delhi chief minister offering to resign from the party's national executive as well as all other posts. The resignation offer is predicated on Kejriwal accepting their terms, including things like giving autonomy to state units and making minutes of meetings available online.
As with each one of Kejriwal's offered resignations, the idea is that this attempted self-sacrifice demonstrates their commitment to the party and principles over personal ambition. Just like everything else in AAP's political arsenal, it attempts to weaponise sanctimony.
Many had expected a move to kick Yadav and Bhushan out of the NE on March 28, after an acrimonious battle with the Kejriwal camp which believes the two leaders were threatening the AAP chief on key party decisions. The infighting eventually got quite nasty, with sting operations and unceremonious allegations, until it became evident that Yadav and Bhushan who had been booted out of the political affairs committee could expect the same move at the NE meet as well.
State of change
One thing came in the way however. Yadav has all along argued for more autonomy to state units, partly because he believes that AAP needs to have more of a presence outside Delhi. This was the main bone of contention between him and Kejriwal, with many in the latter's camp thinking of this as a sign of Yadav's political ambitions.
Ever since AAP's attempt at large expansions during the Lok Sabha elections failed, Kejriwal has tried to focus entirely on Delhi. After being sworn in, in February, he said that the party would be completely dedicated to the capital, and just a few days ago, he said AAP was no Napoleon to try and conquer other states.
But AAP's National Executive has representatives from all the states, who could outnumber the Kejriwal camp if they believe Yadav's arguments are in defence of their autonomy and wishes. As a result, on Tuesday, Kejriwal camp leader Sanjay Singh announced that the party would consider expanding beyond Delhi based on the wishes of the volunteers.
This might offer a way forward for the party after the last few weeks of acrimonious fighting. It acknowledges the demands of Yadav and Bhushan in making the party more transparent and decentralising decision-making i.e. not leaving everything in Kejriwal's hands. But it also bows down to the demands of the Kejriwal camp for the removal of the two leaders, who were seen as challenging the Delhi CM's leadership and who were alleged to have been working against the party.
Reports suggest that Yadav and Bhushan, who have been sparring with the 'Kejriwal camp' over the future of the party, have written a letter to the Delhi chief minister offering to resign from the party's national executive as well as all other posts. The resignation offer is predicated on Kejriwal accepting their terms, including things like giving autonomy to state units and making minutes of meetings available online.
As with each one of Kejriwal's offered resignations, the idea is that this attempted self-sacrifice demonstrates their commitment to the party and principles over personal ambition. Just like everything else in AAP's political arsenal, it attempts to weaponise sanctimony.
Many had expected a move to kick Yadav and Bhushan out of the NE on March 28, after an acrimonious battle with the Kejriwal camp which believes the two leaders were threatening the AAP chief on key party decisions. The infighting eventually got quite nasty, with sting operations and unceremonious allegations, until it became evident that Yadav and Bhushan who had been booted out of the political affairs committee could expect the same move at the NE meet as well.
State of change
One thing came in the way however. Yadav has all along argued for more autonomy to state units, partly because he believes that AAP needs to have more of a presence outside Delhi. This was the main bone of contention between him and Kejriwal, with many in the latter's camp thinking of this as a sign of Yadav's political ambitions.
Ever since AAP's attempt at large expansions during the Lok Sabha elections failed, Kejriwal has tried to focus entirely on Delhi. After being sworn in, in February, he said that the party would be completely dedicated to the capital, and just a few days ago, he said AAP was no Napoleon to try and conquer other states.
But AAP's National Executive has representatives from all the states, who could outnumber the Kejriwal camp if they believe Yadav's arguments are in defence of their autonomy and wishes. As a result, on Tuesday, Kejriwal camp leader Sanjay Singh announced that the party would consider expanding beyond Delhi based on the wishes of the volunteers.
Welcome PAC's statement to expand the organisation nationally & to consider contesting elections outside Delhi. Step in the right direction.
— Yogendra Yadav (@AapYogendra) March 17, 2015PAC's decision to involve volunteers in party's decision-making recognizes Swaraj within the party. Looking forward to detailed blueprint.
— Yogendra Yadav (@AapYogendra) March 17, 2015This might offer a way forward for the party after the last few weeks of acrimonious fighting. It acknowledges the demands of Yadav and Bhushan in making the party more transparent and decentralising decision-making i.e. not leaving everything in Kejriwal's hands. But it also bows down to the demands of the Kejriwal camp for the removal of the two leaders, who were seen as challenging the Delhi CM's leadership and who were alleged to have been working against the party.
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