Khaira alleges conspiracy to remove him, state AAP co-president calls it ‘bogus’

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State copresident accused me of taking cash from party workers... This kind of conspiracy, backstabbing and character assassination is intolerable. SUKHPAL SINGH KHAIRA, AAP MLA and leader of opposition in assembly

CHANDIGARH:A day after Punjab’s leader of opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged a conspiracy in the party for his removal from the post, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state co-president Dr Balbir Singh on Saturday termed his charge ‘bogus’.

When contacted, Balbir accused the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal of trying to create a rift in the AAP, which is trying to set in order after the party’s 2017 poll debacle. “They are playing a dirty game. We should not fall for it,” he said.

In a video on Facebook on Friday, Khaira alleged a conspiracy against him in the AAP to poison the minds of national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy and party affairs in-charge in Punjab, Manish Sisodia.

Khaira said the state co-president had accused him of taking cash from party workers. “This kind of conspiracy, backstabbing and character assassination is intolerable. He (Balbir) should retract his allegation and apologise or face an inquiry,” he said, citing a party worker’s claim that Balbir said this in an interaction with AAP activists. He said he informed Sisodia, who promised to get the matter investigated.

Balbir said there was no truth in the charge. “I have high regard for him (Khaira). Nothing of the sort happened. The person who is being quoted has made a baseless claim,” He said his priority is to get the unit in order. “Appointments

are being made in blocks, assembly segments and districts. A meeting of 4,000 office-bearers to be addressed by Sisodia, MP Bhagwant Mann and Khaira is scheduled for August 13.This has rattled the opposition,” he said.

This is the second flare-up between Khaira and Balbir in a

week. Sixteen party leaders, including district chiefs, had quit on July 15, accusing Balbir of changing officer-bearers arbitrarily. They blamed his decisions for the party’s declining popularity though the state co-president continues unfazed with the restructuring.