New Delhi: In less than a month after the AAP stormed to power in Delhi, dissension in its ranks claimed the first victims. Two senior leaders, founder members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, were shunted out of the AAP’s powerful nine-member political affairs committee on Wednesday after they refused to toe the party line.

The rift between these two and the party had been growing rapidly over a series of issues ranging from internal democracy, expansion in other states, a “conspiracy” to unseat Arvind Kejriwal from its national executive and working against the party’s interests.

Striking first, earlier in the day Mr Kejirwal offered to step down as convener of the national executive, the party’s highest policy making body, as he was “overburdened with work” related to the government. His offer to resign was swiftly rejected.

Mr Kejirwal, who did not attend the stormy meeting that was marked by accusations and counter-accusations, will leave for Bengaluru on Thursday for treatment at a naturopathy clinic. All through Wednesday, he appeared to be “busy” at his office in the Delhi Secretariat.