Need no certificate from Khaira, Sandhu: Mann

CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday accused dissident MLAS Sukhpal Khaira and Kanwar Sandhu of trying to break the party in Punjab by misguiding “innocent” volunteers in the name of “Punjabiyat”.

In a no-holds-barred attack, Mann, who was criticised by the dissident camp for not supporting its fight for “autonomy” for the state unit, said he did not need any certificate from Khaira and Sandhu to prove his love and commitment to Punjab.

“Where was Khaira’s Punjabiyat and love for autonomy when he was in Congress for 20-25 years? Why did he suddenly remember autonomy after losing the post of leader of opposition?” he asked at a press conference. Mann was flanked by Barnala MLA Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and youth wing president Manjinder Singh Sidhu.

Mann said the Bholath MLA had tried to make his personal agenda into a battle between Punjab and Delhi leadership, but it was actually a fight for “gaddi”

(position) and not for people of the state. “They are just counting the number of MLAS. What happened to all the talk of fight against corruption, drugs, illegal mining? This shows their mindset,” he alleged, calling Khaira an “e-neta” who likes to put his videos on social media.

Responding to a question on his return as the state unit president, Mann said he will talk to the party high command on the issue. “If the party needs me, I will work hard. We will go and meet the volunteers

to pacify them, but we will not let these opportunists break the AAP,” he added, urging the party MLAS and supporters not to be swayed by the dissidents’ “false propaganda”.

Mann, who had tendered his resignation in protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s apology to Akali leader Bikram Majithia in a defamation case, seems set to resume charge shortly. The state unit has already passed a resolution urging the leadership to reject his resignation.