Former journalist Ashutosh who had given a shock to the AAP with his sudden resignation around couple of weeks ago has now dealt another telling blow to the Kejriwal led party. He has reportedly accused the AAP leadership of indulging in caste politics. Ashutosh had been silent about the reason behind resigning from AAP till now. At the time of his resignation, he refused to disclose the reasons for his sudden resignation and stated that he had resigned for some ‘“very, very personal reason”. But now he has finally broken his silence and it seems that caste politics within the AAP was the reason for his resignation. However, as per reports at that time it was widely believed that Ashutosh was miffed with the party leadership over denial of Rajya Sabha ticket earlier this year. Kejriwal’s decision of sending businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant Narain Dass Gupta to the Rajya Sabha instead of Ashutosh had not gone down well with him.
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Launching a stunning attack on AAP, Ashutosh has claimed that he was forced to use his surname in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Ashutosh tweeted, “In 23 years of my journalism, no one asked my caste, surname. Was known by my name. But as I was introduced to party workers as LOKSABHA candidate in 2014 my surname was promptly mentioned despite my protest. Later I was told – Sir, aap jeetenge kaise, aapki jaati ke yahan kaafi vote hain (How else will you win, sir? There are several voters of your caste here) (sic).” In another tweet, Ashutosh stated, “My tweet is misunderstood by TV HAWKS. I am no longer with AAP, not constrained by party discipline and free to express my views. It will be wrong to attribute my words as attack on AAP. It will be gross manipulation of media freedom. Spare me. I not member of anti-AAP BRIGADE (sic).” However, the damage has been done. Ashutosh’s tweet has clearly shown how the Kejriwal led party only claims that its political discourse is around issues like education and medical care. But in reality it indulges in petty caste politics in order to make electoral gains. This has squarely exposed the hypocrisy of the AAP.
In 23 years of my journalism, no one asked my caste, surname. Was known by my name. But as I was introduced to party workers as LOKSABHA candidate in 2014 my surname was promptly mentioned despite my protest. Later I was told – सर आप जीतोगे कैसे, आपकी जाति के यहाँ काफी वोट हैं ।
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) August 29, 2018
My tweet is misunderstood by TV HAWKS. I am no longer with AAP, not constrained by party discipline and free to express my views. It will be wrong to attribute my words as attack on AAP. It will be gross manipulation of media freedom. Spare me. I not member of anti-AAP BRIGADE.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) August 29, 2018
This has come a day after it was reported that AAP’s declared Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi constituency, Atishi Marlena has been asked by the party leadership to drop her surname. AAP leadership has instructed her to drop the surname ‘Marlena’ as the same could be construed to be a Christian surname. She has been asked to remove the surname from her Twitter handle and publicity materials. East Delhi is dominated by the Hindu community and the AAP leadership is trying to use Atishi Marlena’s Punjabi Rajput lineage for wooing the voters. Atishi had dropped her family name years ago but the party and its candidate are ready to use it as an electoral weapon all over again. The AAP which claims to be a secular party and vouches for the protection of minorities is afraid of even a ‘Christian-sounding name’. It also shows that how the party with a difference has always been involved in petty caste and religion politics. From 2014 to 2019, not much has changed with the party as far as making blatant use of religion and caste identities is concerned. Kejriwal who gives sermons on contesting elections on the basis of issues like education and social welfare instead of religion and caste politics are now under the scanner for not following what they themselves preach.
