Khaira an opportunist, should re-contest from Bholath: Mann

BARNALA:TERMING Sukhpal Singh Khaira an opportunist, the state leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said his resignation will strengthen the party.

“Khaira has always been power hungry. When HS Phoolka was appointed the leader of opposition in the Punjab assembly, Khaira objected to it. When I was appointed president of party’s Punjab unit, Khaira resigned from the post of chief whip to show his resentment. It proves that his fight was only for the chair,” said AAP’S Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann.

Describing Khaira’s resignation as a “drama”, Mann said if he wants to test his popularity, he should put in his papers as an MLA and seek re-election from Bholath. Other MLAS of the Khaira group are misguided and doors of party are always open for them, said Mann, who was accompanied by leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, core committee chairman Budhram, senior leader Aman Arora and MLAS Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Aman Arora, Manjit Bilaspur, Kulwant Pandori and Rupinder Ruby.

“Khaira was sacked as the leader of opposition due to indiscipline. Efforts were made to make him understand, but he continued to make statements against the party leadership. He has always done politics centred around himself, which is not acceptable to the party,” Mann said.

Lashing out at Khaira, the leader of opposition said he always tried to weaken the party. Aman Arora said Khaira is an example of opportunism in politics and had never worked as a team player. He also used to speak against the Congress leadership when he was member of that party. This shows he is a habitual rule breaker, he added.

Cheema said the AAP Punjab unit was prepared to contest the 2019 elections on its own and said rebels had no place in the party.