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NEW DELHI: A kiss and a hug and let bygone be bygones. Well the latest coming in from the fractious Aam Aadmi Party after days of acrimonious exchanges between leaders, is that the two sides just might make up.
Of course it is not settled yet, but at least the reports seem to be more positive with the leadership coming under direct pressure from the young members of the party who have used the social media to give vent to their disillusionment with the leaders. The pressure has been immense, as the younger members showed more maturity than those who claim to be leading the party.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has returned to Delhi to try and mend fences with Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav. And it does seem, judging from their initial response, that this might happen. Whether it will last will be another story as a great deal has been said, or rather written, that will not appease sentiments so easily.
The young AAP volunteers who worked day and night for the Delhi victory, are not prepared to allows ego’s to crash what they fought for. It is interesting to note that the youth in many of the urban cities have turned AAP supporters and are looking upon this long drawn war with some anxiety and concern. As several young students told The Citizen in both Hyderabad and Bangalore, they were inspired by the new party and the manner in which it was raising issues; and now getting fast disillusioned with this ‘war’ that seemed to over the spoils of victory.
Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav might be well known in Delhi but in other cities where AAP has some support base, they are totally eclipsed by Arvind Kejriwal. This gives him an advantage, and the peace offering will clearly be with limitations.
The party is looking for a reconciliation at this stage, however, although it is unlikely that the duo will return to the Political Affairs Committee. Alternative options are being worked out but while today the party is working towards a patch up, unlike last week when it was pulling apart, the situation remains very fluid.
The party national council meets on March 28 and final decisions are expected then. Meanwhile the workers of AAP have managed to silence the warring factions, and preventing them from going to the media every other minute of the day. This in itself is a major achievement as young volunteer said, happy that the “embarrassment we were facing because of these leaders has at least stopped for now.”
As for the hug and the kiss….the first might happen if talks are conclusive. The second very very unlikely.
