It is proving to be the season of founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party getting disenchanted with politics, with journalists-turned-politicians Ashutosh and Ashish Khetan quitting the party in quick succession. With Ashutosh and Khetan—who were, at one time, known to be two very important and trusted members of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal's inner circle—leaving, speculation is rife on the reasons behind their decision and how it would impact the party.
According to AAP sources, it was being felt for some time now that the two leaders were headed towards the exit. Ashutosh, it is said, was hopeful of getting nominated to the Rajya Sabha, and was feeling dejected after businessmen Sushil Gupta and N.D. Gupta were chosen to be sent to the upper house, and only Sanjay Singh of the AAP made the cut from among the party's founding members. Ashutosh's involvement in party activities had dwindled ever since it became clear that he would not be nominated by the party to contest from Chandni Chowk in the Lok Sabha elections.
In Khaitan's case, it was even more clear that he was calling it quits after the investigative journalist-turned-political activist put in his papers as vice president of the Delhi Dialogue Commission, which was set up by Kejriwal to function as a think tank to provide the AAP government with inputs on policy matters. There was a speculation that Khaitan was hoping to be nominated from New Delhi constituency in the Lok Sabha elections, but he was passed over.
Both Ashutosh and Khaitan have stated that their decision to quit the AAP and politics has nothing to do with any perceived disappointments. Ashutosh tweeted that he was resigning for purely personal reasons. It is learnt that he is writing a book and is also keen on launching a media venture.
Khaitan had, at the time of resigning from Delhi Dialogue Commission, said he wanted to join the bar and take up commercial law practice. In a statement that he put out amidst intense speculation on the reasons why he quit, he said he had been plagued with self doubt and the question of whether he wanted to be in electoral politics, for the last two years. He said besides establishing legal practice, he wanted to return to writing. “My personal decision to move away from party and electoral politics should not be viewed as a reflection on AAP, in any way whatsoever,” Khaitan wrote. He also said he had been offered the New Delhi seat and that he had politely turned it down.
Sources close to Kejriwal insist that the decision of the two leaders to quit AAP does not reflect badly on the party since the partings have happened on cordial terms, and pointed out that they have themselves stated that they were leaving because they wanted to pursue apolitical activities.
However, some AAP leaders say Ashutosh and Khaitan had realised that they could not grow any further in the party, and moreover, their roles were increasingly getting diminished. It is felt that Kejriwal needs to hold on to leaders, especially at a time when the party faces the crucial test of holding on to Delhi, and prove its popularity by winning seats in the national capital in the Lok Sabha elections.