The state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may take disciplinary action against Patiala member of Parliament Dr Dharamvira Gandhi for his public outburst against party policies and supporting sacked founding member of the party Yogendra Yadav.
Citing involvement in antiparty activities, AAP has already sacked Manjit Singh, a retired sociology professor from Panjab University. However, Gandhi has already written to AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and apprised him of the “vicious campaign” launched against him (Gandhi) by some party leaders in Punjab at the behest of national AAP leaders. “If needed, disciplinary action will be taken against Gandhi for giving statements against AAP policies and Kejriwal following the national council meet of the party on March 28,” AAP’s
Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur said. “Instead of speaking for the welfare of the party, Gandhi has been raising his voice against AAP and Kejriwal openly, which is against party norms,” Chhotepur added.
The Patiala MP has been facing ire from a group of AAP volunteers for supporting Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. Gandhi objected and condemned the party and Kejriwal for sacking Yadav and Bhushan.
Chhotepur said Gandhi won the Lok Sabha elections due to AAP and not because of his individual rapport. “If Gandhi is not comfortable, he should immediately quit the party,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Chhotepur said Gandhi won the Lok Sabha elections due to AAP and not because of his individual rapport. “If Gandhi is not comfortable, he should immediately quit the party,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}When contacted, Gandhi said: “Why should I resign? I have done nothing wrong by raising my voice for intra-party democracy. I am not going to quit the party at any cost. I would continue to serve the people of my constituency with dignity,” said Gandhi.
“It is not a private limited party owned by a few individuals to fulfil their aspirations,” Gandhi said, adding that he would continue to speak on issues which were not in the party’s interest.
“It’s the party’s prerogative to take a decision on the issue. But I will raise my voice whenever I feel that the party’s basic principles are not being adhered to,” Gandhi said.