Savita Bhatti deserts AAP, decides to remain ‘apolitical’

Days after Savita Bhatti opted out of Lok Sabha contest from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the wife of late comedian, Jaspal Bhatti, has now decided to desert the rookie party and remain ‘apolitical’.

Though Bhatti could not be contacted, close associates and those in AAP told Hindustan Times that Bhatti had decided to remain ‘apolitical’ and not to campaign for AAP or any other party. It is immediately not clear if she has resigned from the party’s membership.

Sources said after Gul Panag was fielded by the party in Bhatti’s place, Panag went to meet her a couple of days back and tried to persuade her to campaign for the party. “But she categorically refused to join the campaign and said that she wanted to remain apolitical,” an AAP leader said.

When contacted, Panag said Bhatti was probably hurt and heartbroken. “It was her personal decision and we should respect her sentiments,” Panag said, adding that Bhatti conveyed to her that she wanted to remain ‘apolitical’.

In her last public address on March 10, after she opted out of the Lok Sabha contest, Bhatti had vowed to remain with the party and help it in elections.

“Initially we thought she would join us in campaign after some time. But when she did not turn up for campaign even for a single day, we contacted her, and were told that she did not want to campaign for any party,” an AAP leader said.

Bhatti had opted out of Lok Sabha race on March 9, within less than 10 days of the party naming her the candidate for the Chandigarh seat. She had claimed that she was not getting full support from the party workers.

Her candidature had also witnessed protests by AAP workers, who alleged that she had not applied for the ticket, but was chosen by party due to her celebrity status. But later, she held road shows and rallies. However, struggled to keep the workers together.