In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Aam Aadmi Party's Prashant Bhushan speaks for the first time about the rift within the party and much more.
Here are the highlights:
- The issues are very serious which are on the basic ideas and principles on which the party was founded.
- The real issue is that there has been some evidence that the party has slipped from principles of transparency.
- There is certainly a great danger of that happening in the party (on a high-command culture, where only one person calls the shots)
- We had formed a party which was different from all the other political parties where there is 'no one-man centric campaign'.
- I spoke to Arvind and we discussed about decision-making processes in the party. These processes were to be credibly independent and collective in nature.
- I respect Arvind's political judgments. But sometimes he could be wrong too.
- I feel we have to be absolutely firm on our ethical principles but Arvind differs at times and says we need to make certain compromises in politics.
- We have to be absolutely straight and true to the founding principles of our party.
- There was clearly a lapse on our part in not checking the companies.
- Also slippages in terms of putting out our account publicly on the website.
- Not saying hanky panky. But systems need to be firmed up to stay on the path of transparency.
- I told Arvind you have remarkable qualities, unique leader.
- You must recognize you have some weaknesses. He said yes I do.
- I said we must set systems such that its not your writ that should prevail in decision making.
- Occasionally some issues of principals on which I put my foot down.
- You can't make compromises in electoral politics.
- I feel his approach may not be correct.
- I was not privy to any kind of talks with Congress. But clearly letter sent to LG matter of record.
- There was difference of opinion amongst members of Political Action Committee, National Executive Committee on whether we should seek Congress support again or not.
- Letter to LG said - he should defer dissolution till we seek opinion of people whether we can again form government again.
- Absolutely baseless and absurd allegation (on allegation that he and Yogendra Yadav are conspiring to unseat Arvind Kejriwal).
- We have some differences with Arvind and we have tried to resolve them.
- Where ever we had differences, I used to tell Arvind.
- But Yogendra Yadav or I never talked about removing him.
- In last 10 years, I have always believed BJP to be communal and a corrupt party (on Bhushans wanting to install BJP government)
- I have filed petitions, I had filed against Jaitley's decisions.
- I know Jaitley - he is lawyer. When he was very unwell, I called on him.
- But to say I am close to Jaitley, BJP support - it is laughable and absurd.
- I did not share my father's view on Kiran Bedi.
- I was unhappy on selection of candidates.
- My heart was not into campaigning for many of these candidates.
- No formal decision of NE to remove us.
- It is irrelevant who should be in NE or PAC.
- Large number of people attracted to party because of its founding principles and ideals.
- What is important is that this party's decision making should be democratic and broad-based.
- Can't follow high command culture that every political party has, to kneel before high command.
- I am not considering leaving the party.
- I am not a full timer with party.
- My role in party is only to try and ensure it remains committed to original principles and ideals.
- Need to broad-base decision making bodies.
- Vast majority of volunteers and people who helped form party want the party to remain united.
- Unfortunately, Arvind has not called me.
- There has been a breakdown of communication.
- For the last few days we have not spoken to each other.
- But I am open and willing to talk.
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