The mood among the supporters of the two warring factions of AAP outside the venue today of its National Council meet and a barrage of social media posts through the day reflected the deep divisions in the party as its internal crisis reached a flashpoint today.
The vociferous supporters of Kejriwal, who dominated in terms of numbers, demanded that the "traitors" Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan be expelled from the party and raised slogans against the duo.
A large number of AAP's minority wing supporters were seen carrying placards with messages like, "Kejriwal tum ek kaam karo, gaddaron ko bahar karo".
The outnumbered Yadav supporters responded with an equally catchy slogan, "Party meri aap ki, nahi kisi ke baap ki". They also raised questions over AAP's lack of inner party democracy.
#AAPWAR, AAPKaSting and #WarInAAP remained the top three trends on social media since morning as supporters, detractors and observers vent their frustrations over the crisis within.
"Never seen such a brazen display of power and ousting of previous colleagues in such a humiliating manner. #AAPKaSting #AAPWar #WarinAAP," author Chetan Bhagat tweeted.
"AAP officially loses my support! Someone said that anyone can overcome adversity but to test their real character give them power. #AAPWar," said another tweet.
Caricatures of the leaders engaged in bitter feuding also did the rounds and were widely shared and retweeted.
Somebody also took a dig at the allegations of assault on supporters of Yadav and Bhushan. "The highest decision making body in AAP is called: Bouncers. #WarInAAP," was one such tweet.
At the meet venue, a party volunteer from Delhi said, "AAP requires ideology and 'Swaraj' and not any individual." He expressed his annoyance over the way Yadav and Bhushan were being removed from its National Executive and alleged that "handpicked" members participated in the meeting today.
There were also emotional party members and supporters who were more concerned about preserving the unity within AAP.
"The party is neither owned by Kejriwal nor by Yadav, it belongs to the large number of party volunteers who founded it with their hard work and efforts," said Arif Raza Masumi, who claimed to be the Magadh zone in-charge of AAP in Patna.
While the NC members were allowed entry inside the venue of the meeting, which was held at a resort in Kapashera, after their names were checked on the list along with invitation SMSs, mobile numbers and identity cards, there were allegations that some members were not allowed to go inside.
