Damania takes U-turn on resignation; M'rashtra AAP revamp soon

Maharashtra leaders of Aam Aadmi Party Anjali Damania and Preeti Menon resigned from the party but hours later took a U-turn today on being assured of the formation of a new state executive that would be transparent and broad-based to ensure adequate communication with party workers.
In a letter addressed to AAP colleagues issued last evening, Damania, who had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls against BJP leader Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur, said she was ending her "association with AAP." The activist-turned-politician didn't give any reason for her decision.
However, AAP leader Mayank Gandhi told PTI this evening that a meeting was held with Damania, AAP state Convenor, and party workers, and some "very important" resolutions were passed after which both the leaders withdrew their resignations.

Menon, the party's state Secretary, was not present in the meeting here but the outcome of the meet was conveyed to her and she has agreed to withdraw her resignation, he said.
"A new state executive will be formed that will have an increased representation of farmers, Dalits, women, youth and members of the minority community," Gandhi said.
He said lack of communication at various levels and complaints against AAP committee (executive) members by workers had pushed Damania into tendering her resignation.

"Relation between the party leaders and volunteers had recently soured. Complaints against the behaviour of committee members by AAP workers and lack of communication at various levels were irritating them."

"Anjali wanted petty fights between the party leadership and volunteers to stop," Gandhi, who had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls from North West Mumbai, said.
Gandhi said the state unit of the fledgling outfit, which has been hit by high-profile exits after a poor showing in the just-held parliamentary polls, will be revamped.
"We will form a grievance cell where any party volunteer or leader can register their complaints and their problems will be looked into", he said.
There will also be an interaction between the party leadership and volunteers every week and all decisions will be taken in a transparent manner, the AAP leader said.

Despite repeated attempts, Damania remained unavailable for comment.