Arvind Kejriwal quits as AAP convenor

Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the rift within the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has resigned as the party's convener ahead of the national executive meeting scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening.

Kejriwal has said he cannot do justice to both the chief minister's post and that of the convener. Kejriwal had earlier offered to resign as the convener, but the move was unanimously rejected.

AAP leader Yogendra Yadav, however, earlier in the day said that Kejriwal staying as the party's national convener is essential.

"Kejriwal's staying in the post is essential for the party. He is the symbol of honesty and politics of truth in the country," he told the media. "Politics is a long journey. Phrases that I have heard such as this is not crisis, infighting, civil war, there is nothing as such. This is not a crisis rather is an opportunity," he added.

The AAP leader also said that his party stands out from the rest.

"The AAP always keeps its collar up saying that the party stands out from the rest. Few hours might be of sorrow, of confusion. But I have the belief that this evening the AAP workers would say that, 'see I told that our party stands out from everyone'," he added.

The AAP is embroiled in an ugly internal strife barely a month after forming a majority government in Delhi.

Yadav and Prashant Bhushan are likely to be asked to put forth their clarifications in the party's national executive meeting due to take place on Wednesday.

There is unconfirmed speculation that the duo may be eased out of the national executive, which is the AAP's top policy body.

The decision, if carried out, would mean that Bhushan and Yadav would cease to be decision makers in a party that is sure to expand its wings in the country once it cements its foundation in Delhi.

There are reports of a majority of the national executive being in favour of the ouster of the duo, as they feel both have brought a bad name to the AAP by talking about the lack of so-called internal democracy in the party.