File pic: Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal is facing questions on his leadership again after a sharp attack from one of the founder members of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, who, along with his son Prashant Bhushan, have been with Mr Kejriwal long before the party's launch in 2012, has criticised the AAP chief's leadership and competence,
"Arvind (Kejriwal) is a great leader and a great campaigner, but in my opinion he lacks organisational ability. He does not have the kind of competence which can spread the message of the party all over India, which can quickly create elected structures of the party which nobody will be able to blame," Mr Bhushan, 89, said.
The outburst has revived focus on cracks in the party just as it is preparing for another election in Delhi within a year, brought on by Mr Kejriwal's abrupt resignation after 49 days as Delhi Chief Minister.
Mr Kejriwal has not reacted but AAP rebutted that Mr Bhushan was "apparently unhappy" at the party's decision to not contest the Haryana polls.
"AAP is completely in support of Arvind Kejriwal. He is the chosen leader and he will remain," Ashutosh, a close aide of Mr Kejriwal, said.
But AAP sources comment on a clear line dividing Mr Kejriwal's "camp" from the rest.
The 45-year-old AAP chief has been facing increasingly unsparing comments on his leadership since the party's abysmal performance in the national election undid its spectacular debut in the Delhi polls in December.
AAP contested over 300 seats but won just four seats in Punjab. Many in the party believe Mr Kejriwal's high profile contest against Narendra Modi in Varanasi compromised AAP's national campaign.
Soon after the verdict, Shazia Ilmi, a prominent AAP leader, quit citing lack of inner democracy.
"There is indeed a lack of inner party democracy, there is a lack of organisational skills. Voice of dissent and constructive criticism is not appreciated," Ms Ilmi told reporters yesterday, adding, "A coterie is running the show."
In June, Yogendra Yadav, another founder member, wrote in an email to AAP members: "Arvind is turning into a personality cult that can damage an organisation and the leader himself." The party later insisted that it was united.