Senior AAP leader Ashutosh quits, cites ‘very, very personal reason’

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party, citing personal reasons.

“Every journey has an end. My association with AAP which was beautiful/revolutionary has also an end. I have resigned from the PARTY/requested PAC [political action committee] to accept the same. It is purely from a very very personal reason. Thanks to party/all of them who supported me Throughout (sic). Thanks,” said Ashutosh on Twitter.

Ashutosh, a former TV journalist who uses just his first name, requested the media to respect his privacy and not seek his comments. “I won’t be giving any bite of any kind. Please cooperate,” he said.

Ashutosh often defended the party in TV news debates, but felt sidelined in recent months, sources said. He was not in AAP’s list of three candidates for a Rajya Sabha seat earlier this year. He has not visited AAP Delhi’s office and kept away from important party activities for the last few months, sources said.

He lost the 2014 Lok Sabha election in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency to union environment minister Harsh Vardhan.

First Published: Aug 15, 2018 10:53 IST