Yogendra Yadav cosies up to suspended MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi

Ousted Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Yogendra Yadav on Sunday said Punjab was heading towards alternative politics as he called on party’s suspended leader and Patiala Lok Sabha member Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.

Ousted Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Yogendra Yadav on Sunday said Punjab was heading towards alternative politics as he called on party’s suspended leader and Patiala Lok Sabha member Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.

After a closed door meeting with Gandhi in Patiala, Yadav told HT: “I am here to extend all support to Dr Gandhi who is fighting for the rights of people of Punjab.” Apart from Gandhi, Fategarh Sahib MP Harinder Singh Khalsa too has been suspended for ‘anti-party’ activities, while another party leader Dr Daljit Singh has been expelled.

“Dr Gandhi, Harinder Khalsa and Dr Daljit Singh should lead Punjab towards alternative politics,” said Yadav. He, however, clarified that he did not expect Gandhi to join his ‘Swaraj Abhiyan’.

Earlier, a statement issued by a spokesperson of Swaraj Abhiyan said: “We salute Dr Gandhi, HS Khalsa and Dr Daljit Singh for their courage of conviction. Their willingness to stand for truth and pay the price has opened a new opportunity for alternative politics. Punjab looks up to them to lead the state towards a truly alternative politics.”

Gandhi, on his part, said Yadav extended his support to him. “I have raised my voice for federalism. Punjab leaders should have a right to take their own decisions within the party,” said the Patiala MP.

‘People fed up with corrupt regime’

In Chandigarh, Yadav presided over a meeting of the Punjab unit of ‘Swaraj Abhiyaan’.

The team chalked out a schedule for supporting the protesting cotton farmers, who are seeking compensation for crop loss, organising a rally for the MGNREGS workers and a convention on October 2 against the sorry state of education in the state.

Yet to get suspension order, says MP

Dr Dharamvira Gandhi told HT that he had so far not received any communiqué from AAP on his suspension.

“How I can reply and what should I reply to when I have not received any suspension letter from the party,” he said, when asked had he written to the AAP high command regarding his suspension.