Kejriwal

The two parties had contested the state polls together.

The revolt by AAP’S Punjab leaders on a day of fast-paced political development left the central leaders of the party stunned. The state leaders had given an indication of their resentment by posting angry t weets after Majithia broke the news of Kejriwal’s apology on Thursday.

On Friday, 20 MLAS of AAP and LIP, who were to attend a scheduled meeting to draw up a ‘chargesheet’ against the Congress government of Punjab, went into a huddle. In the meeting, they decided to unanimously condemn the apology, saying Kejriwal’s “meek surrender” was “unfortunate and painful.”

Khaira, who addressed the media earlier, said state unit leaders were being asked by people whether Kejriwal had entered into an understanding with the Akali Dal. “Kejriwal did not take any of us into confidence before he tendered the apology. Mann and Arora were in Delhi two days ago to meet state in-charge Manish Sisodia, but there was no mention of it,” he said.

The party leaders, while dissolving the core committee set up a day ago, also decided not to attend a meeting convened by the central leadership in Delhi on Sunday. “If they want to discuss Punjab issues, they should come here,” one of them said on condition of anonymity.

The party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh, said: “Majithia deserves to be in jail.”

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said he would reach out to AAP leaders in Punjab. He also denied a rift in the party. “Everything is fine. There is no rift (within the party), all are together. We will talk to everyone (the ones who resigned and those who are protesting) and they will understand,” he said. Sisodia said Kejriwal apologised because court cases are time-consuming. “We are fighting for the people. We will fight for citizens in courts but not for such cases. If we will spend time in courts for our own cases when will we take out time for public issues?” he said.

According to a list circulated by the party’s social media team, there are 22 hearings in which Kejriwal has to appear between March 5 and April 10. He is facing defamation cases filed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, transport minister Nitin Gadkari, South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri, Congress leader Pawan Khera and Amit Sibal, the son of former Union minister Kapil Sibal.