Amanatullah Khan supporters protest over his PAC suspension

New Delhi: Suspended Aam Aadmi Party’s Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan’s supporters protested in his home constituency on Thursday after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal went out of his way to retain one of the senior-most functionaries, Kumar Vishwas, who threatened to call it quits.

Mr Khan accused Mr Vishwas of hobnobbing with the RSS and BJP, while the latter demanded the ouster of Mr Khan. The AAP placated the poet-politician by suspending the Okhla legislator and even entrusted him with the responsibility of Rajasthan which goes to elections by the end of 2018. His supporters protested his suspension at Jamia Nagar, but Mr Khan, who turned mellow after being cornered by the party, cancelled an evening press conference because of the death of one of his relatives. A message sent on his behalf, said the protesters were to take out a “peaceful march” to protest the “duplicity” of the AAP.

The Okhla lawmaker had, on Monday, resigned from the party’s political affairs committee. Two days later, the same body ordered his suspension from the party’s primary membership. He had accused Mr Vishwas of plotting a coup in the party.

Following his suspension, Mr Khan said he was ready to put his case before the disciplinary committee.

Earlier on Tuesday, threatening to quit the party, Mr Vishwas, the poet-politician who enjoys considerable popularity in the party, had accused Mr Khan of being a “mask” and acting at the behest of those surrounding Mr Arvind Kejriwal.

Even though Mr Khan is not acerbic about his suspension but has been drumming up support in his favour.