India’s Upstart Reformist Party Is Reportedly Experiencing Internal Discord

The Aam Aadmi or “Common Man” Party (AAP) that won the New Delhi elections in spectacular fashion last month appears to have run into an internal crisis, with two senior members reportedly accusing the party’s leadership of abandoning its guiding principles.

In a letter sent to colleagues, senior leader Prashant Bhushan slammed the party’s “one-person-centric” approach around AAP leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian Express reported.

His letter echoed sentiments previously expressed by Yogendra Yadav, another founding member of the party — although Yadav has subsequently denied reports of any disagreement.

The AAP gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party a rude shock in February’s local elections in India’s capital, winning 67 out of 70 seats.