E-Paper
AAP declares Sukhpal Khaira’s Bathinda meet anti-party
Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia told 40-odd party office-bearers from the state, who met him on Monday, that the convention was not a party function.
The rift between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the defiant MLAs led by former leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira is all set to escalate with the party totally distancing itself from the volunteers’ convention being held by the latter in Bathinda on August 2.
Calling it anti-party, Delhi deputy chief minister and Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia told 40-odd party office-bearers from the state, who met him on Monday, that the convention was not a party function.
“Sisodia even posed a query whether this event is being held against the mafia or against the party,” said Punjab unit state co-president Balbir Singh.
He said party had made its stand clear to everyone. Asked if the party would take action against those accepting Khaira camp’s invitation, he said it was the prerogative of the central leadership, sounding a warning to those associating with the disgruntled leaders.
“The state leaders were also told that 15 of the 20 MLAs gave their consent to the decision to appoint a new leader of opposition,” he added.
The convention is being organised by nine MLAs who had publicly rejected the party’s decision to replace Khaira and raised a banner of revolt by announcing the August 2 meet to decide their future strategy. In a meeting with these MLAs on Sunday, Sisodia had asked them to call off the convention but they refused, giving the argument it was being held to strengthen the party.
While the event is being seen as their “show of strength”, Khaira and his supporters are using photos of all top central and state leaders, including Kejriwal and Sisodia, in posters for the event even though these leaders have distanced themselves from it.
