Shazia Ilmi quits AAP, claims 'crony clique' runs the party

New Delhi: Shazia Ilmi, one of the founder members of the Aam Aadmi Party, today resigned from all party posts citing lack of "inner-party democracy".

Disapproving of "jail politics" of AAP, Ilmi also claimed that a "crony clique" around its chief Arvind Kejriwal is calling the shots in the party. "After much thought and deliberation I have decided to give up my membership of AAP and resign from all positions within the party," she told reporters at a press conference.

Ilmi, however, clarified that she is not joining any other party. "My decision to leave the party is triggered by the lack of inner-party democracy, especially from a party that constantly talks of Swaraj (self rule)," she said.

Attacking some AAP leaders who are considered close to Kejriwal, she said, "We fight against cronyism but we have a crony clique which runs the party and takes impulsive decisions which we learn about later. I find it amazing that we cannot follow the principles of Swaraj within our own party."

"When a brilliant person like Arvind who espoused the concept of Swaraj, of collective making is unable to follow it personally within the party, then doesn't it become incumbent to point out the same," she added.