The growing rift within the Aam Aadmi Party took another twist on Tuesday with senior advocate and party member H.S. Phoolka scathingly attacking senior party leader Yogendra Yadav, and maintained that the party's campaign committee members had ensured his loss in the elections.
"Yogendra Yadav constituted a campaign committee for Punjab. They ensured that I do not win. These were the kind of things that were going on. But in party's interest I kept quiet...and maintained working relations with Yogendra Yadav throughout," Phoolka told ANI.
"What I am surprised about is that I always had good relations with Yogendra Yadav...I was shocked that why is it being done to me. I want the national executive to ask Mr. Yogendra Yadav to explain why that one month was wasted? Why was I directed not to go to Punjab...Yadav needs to explain how my going to Punjab would have adversely affected the party," he added.
Phoolka added that had wanted to quit the party during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections but Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal persuaded him me to continue.
"So, almost for one month I was totally gagged, neither I was allowed to go Punjab nor I was allowed to go to media. Ultimately, I said that at least on '84 issue I should be permitted. I was so disillusioned that around mid February I sent SMS to Kejriwal that if the party do not need me then there is no point of me continuing in the party," he added.
"Kejriwal immediately responded that sir please have faith in me, the party needs you and please give me some time. Then, Kejriwal asked me to lead 'Jhadu Yatra' for February 15," Phoolka further added.
