The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday dissolved the Maharashtra unit of its party, amid much controversy, claiming that it was part of the major restructuring that was taking place across various states.
However, reports suggest that there were differences with National Executive member Mayank Gandhi, who is still part of the party, but may soon be sidelined.
Gandhi reportedly got into trouble after he supported Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav during their ouster from the party in April, after he wrote a blog, criticizing the gag order that the party had supposedly issued.
“In the ongoing process of strengthening the organisation in various States, the PAC has decided to dissolve all bodies in Maharashtra. National Secretary Pankaj Gupta will be in charge of the State and under him a team will work on organisation-building in the State. The new structure will take shape in a very short time,” a statement posted on the party website read.
The Maharashtra state unit too passed a resolution, standing by Gandhi and asking for the expelled members to be brought back.
Preeti Sharma Menon, national spokesperson and member of the Maharashtra state unit, told the Times of India that "The Maharashtra unit has been lying practically defunct for about a year and there was urgent need to reorganize it. Volunteers are extremely happy with the move."
Soon after the announcement, Gandhi took to twitter to express his dissent.
Two types of politics ~one that works with the people on ground and other that do 'chaplusi' in Delhi. The second type has won. Jai Ho !
— Mayank Gandhi (AAP) (@mayankgandhi04) October 1, 2015
Beautifully functioning maharashtra teams dissolved. Sad that politics has won!
— Mayank Gandhi (AAP) (@mayankgandhi04) October 1, 2015