AAP stares at split as internal crisis escalates

New Delhi: Less than two months after it stormed to power in Delhi, the AAP appeared set for a split with the party saying on Thursday that senior leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav had quit its national executive and the two men vehemently denying this.

Making the announcement two days before the executive meets here, AAP spokesman Ashish Khetan said Bhushan and Yadav appeared dead set against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the party's best known face who assumed office on February 14.

"They say one thing in private and another in public," Khetan told the media, adding he had been involved in days of close-door discussions with both men over issues confronting India's youngest political party.

The comments came two days ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party's national executive meeting where both sides -- the Kejriwal camp and supporters of Bhushan and Yadav -- could have had a showdown.

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia added that close-door talks with Bhushan and Yadav had failed as they were adamant that Kejriwal must go as the party's all-powerful national convener