Vishwas at centre of conspiracies to topple Kejriwal govt: Gopal Rai

NEW DELHI: The infighting within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over Rajya Sabha nominations intensified on Thursday with senior leader Gopal Rai accusing rebel leader Kumar Vishwas of being part of conspiracies hatched to topple Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government after the municipal polls held last year.

Vishwas had on Wednesday openly attacked party chief Kejriwal for “punishing” him after his name did not feature in the party’s nominees to the Upper House.

“After MCD polls last year, there were attempts to bring down the Delhi government and Kumar Vishwas was at the centre of those conspiracies,” Rai, party’s Delhi convener, said in a Facebook live session.

Vishwas refused to take calls from the media. His associate said he would not comment on the allegations.

Vishwas had on Wednesday mocked Kejriwal for disappointing workers by his choice of Rajya Sabha nominees, which included two outsiders, Sushil Gupta and Narain Dass Gupta along with party leader Sanjay Singh. The poet-turned-politician has been at odds with party’s top leadership since November by openly staking claim for a seat in the Upper House.

During the Facebook live, Rai also referred to a video in which Vishwas criticised Kejriwal.

“He (Vishwas) wanted to scuttle AAP’S chances in the local body polls held in April last year, which was eventually won by BJP,” Rai said, asking how can a person who attacks the party from every platform be deemed fit to represent it in Rajya Sabha.

Referring to allegations of AAP having taken money from RS nominee Sushil Gupta, Rai said the controversy was part of a larger plan to defame Kejriwal who started movement against corruption.