Delhi police at aap office after AAp workers and supporters of Dr KumarVishwas erect tents inside AAP headquarters.

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Rajya Sabha polls the battle inside Aam Aadmi Party came to boil on Thursday with supporters of AAP founder member Kumar Vishwas engaging AAP in a faceoff in the morning that lasted till 7:30pm at party headquarters. Vishwas supporters -- some claiming to be members of AAP’s national council – set up tents in party office and refused to leave unless they get assurance that Vishwas will be sent to RS.They demanded that the party second their choice. For the polls scheduled on January 16, the last date of nomination is January 5 but AAP is still undecided about its three nominees. AAP’s political affairs committee will decide the names, but has not fixed any meeting yet.AAP is exploring various choices in its search for people who can give it maximum political advantage at the national level. It wants economist, lawyers, former union ministers or people of high stature who can effectively counter Centre’s policies in parliament at the same time be submissive to the party bosses. It is a difficult search for a fledgling party like AAP especially after it has tested defeats in various elections held since 2015. AAP is also considering names from within the party because it is mindful of the fact that ignoring people, who have worked hard for the party all these years even though they did not get plum positions like other functionaries, can be detrimental to the strength of party.“You can send any other two persons who have worked hard for the party, but Vishwas must be among the three candidates,” dozens of people huddled inside the tents wearing AAP caps, told TOI. Shravan Kumar Lamba, who has converted his scooter into a campaign vehicle to push Vishwas claim to RS, said: “Volunteers are above national convener and PAC. Firebrand speaker Vishwas is more deserving than all.” Some of the volunteers also arrived from Bihar, Rajasthan, UP, Haryana and other states.Not informed before tents were brought, AAP office bearers were taken aback. The gatekeeper was pushed as he tried to obstruct the supporters’ entry inside. In a police complaint AAP claimed all gathered inside were illegal occupants and not party workers and requested police to drive them out. It closed down the canteen and locked meeting hall; Vishwas supportes did not get micks or chairs either.In the evening armed with batons dozens of cops led by an officer stormed the premises and warned Vishwas’ supporters of strict action if they do not leave within 30 minutes. The disheartened supporters dialled unknown numbers and soon the police turned meek. Even one and a half hour after warning, the police did not do anything. “We are waiting for directions,” said a senior police officer camping outside AAP office.They all left at 8pm following an appeal from Vishwas to fight for swaraj, transparency and back to basics within AAP and not for an individual. “Abhimanyu will be a winner, even if he is killed,” he tweeted.AAP Delhi spokesperson Saurab Bharadwaj claimed that 80% of those camping inside were BJP workers. “They were trying to malign the image of Vishwas and AAP,” Bharadwaj said.