Kumar Vishwas unhappy with Amanatullah Khan’s return, won’t anchor AAP meet

The reinstatement of suspended Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan could lead to a fresh crisis in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of its national council meet on Thursday.

Kumar Vishwas, founder member, said that he was not happy with Khan’s return to the party.

Moreover, Vishwas, who is known for his oratory skills, has not been allotted a slot to speak at the council meet according to the agenda shared among the members. He had, in fact, anchored the last four such meets.

“Among the four speakers at the meeting, senior party leader Sanjay Singh will talk on the economy, Manish Sisodia on Delhi government, Ashutosh on social media, Gopal Rai on organisation and Arvind Kejriwal will give the concluding remarks,” said a senior party leader describing the agenda of the meeting to be held in Alipur.

In May this year, after differences with the party’s top leadership over Khan’s allegations, Vishwas was given a ‘bigger’ responsibility and made incharge of Rajasthan assembly polls — a post till then held by Kejriwal’s close confidante Manish Sisodia.

Vishwas refused to comment on his name being dropped from the list of speakers, but reacted to the reinstation. “Amanatullah Khan, who is accused of instigating communal violence, is just a mask used by many people in the party who want me out. But I will continue to work and raise issues that matter” said Vishwas, who is camping in Rajasthan, over phone.

“Last time, party’s leadership may have succeeded in pacifying Vishwas by putting Khan under suspension, and giving Vishwas the charge of Rajasthan, which goes to polls next year. But appeasing him another time would not be an easy task,” said a party insider.

“Vishwas is a senior party leader and a crowd puller. His exit would be the party’s loss ahead of Rajasthan polls,” he added.