NEW DELHI: In what many saw as a snub to senior AAP member Kumar Vishwas , accused recently of trying to replace Arvind Kejriwal as the national convener, Kejriwal attended an iftar party hosted by an assembly committee being headed by MLA Amanatullah Khan , who was the first to accuse Vishwas of having links with BJP.

Although Khan was suspended after making the allegation, he was later appointed the chairperson of Vidhan Sabha Committee of Minority Welfare that hosted the iftar. Vishwas had objected to Khan’s appointment but he continues to be a prominent figure in the party.

Sources said Kejriwal was greeted at the gate by Khan and, after speaking to the public, was escorted by the MLA to a room meant for the VIPs.

Steering clear of controversies during his address, Kejriwal said, “They say if you ask for something during this holy season, you get it. I pray to Allah for your health, your peace and your family’s health. I pray that the communal forces that are once again raising their heads in the country are struck down, that once again there is love and peace between communities.”

Despite the outward show of unity and the attempts by senior party members, including Kejriwal, to bring Vishwas back into AAP following his resignation after Khan’s allegations, he is being snubbed continuously on social media by many members. This increased significantly after Vishwas, in charge of Rajasthan, made a series of announcements on Saturday on elections in Rajasthan that were meant to challenge AAP’s central leadership. On Wednesday, former Delhi convener Dilip Pandey questioned Vishwas’ criticism of Congress while he failed to ever critique BJP. Several members also questioned his announcements.

“There are several people in AAP who believe that Khan was right. Vishwas’ affiliation to BJP is known and has been raised in the party several times since 2014,” said a senior member.

Vishwas could not be reached for comments.

