NRIs GUN FOR SANJAY, DURGESH
Say they were biased against local leaders
Perturbed over AAP’s debacle in the assembly polls despite their support, party’s NRI supporters are now baying for blood of two key leaders of the party — Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak.
CHANDIGARH: Perturbed over Aam Aadmi Party’s debacle in the recent assembly polls despite their wholehearted support, party’s Punjabi supporters in foreign countries are now baying for blood of two key leaders of the party. In the firing line are party’s Punjab affairs in-charge San jay Sing hand organisationbuilding head Durgesh Pathak.
Rejecting the leadership of Sanjay and Durgesh, the New Jersey (US) chapter of the party has written to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, seeking their removal from political affairs committee (PAC) and executive body of the party.
“They (Sanjay Singh and Durgesh) ran Punjab not with will of partnership but with discriminating attitude towards the volunteers and local leaders. Their ill-will and unacceptable demeanour has led to demoralisation in the cadre and we reject their leadership. They are unwelcome in Punjab,” says the letter addressed to Kejriwal.
As per reports, chapters of AAP in different cities of Canada and USA have written to Kejriwal, asking him to respond by May 9, saying concerns against Sanjay and Durgesh leadership existed even before the elections.
Convener of NRI cell of AAP, Punjab, and spokesman Jagtar Sanghera confirmed that NRIs were in shock and trying to understand the reasons for the loss. “A large number of volunteers from foreign countries called me (on AAP’s poor show). Their anger is justified, because they worked hard. I am taking their reactions positively and will meet them,” he said. He, however, refused to comment on the role of Sanjay and Durgesh.
AAP’s leader of opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, HS Phoolka, was not willing to comment on the matter either. “Whatever the shortcoming were, I will convey my feelings at the party forum,” he said. Attempts to reach Sanjay Singh went futile.
The NRIs had also been criticising ouster of Sucha Singh Chhotepur, terming it as “political ambush”, besides raising suspicion a management of funds.
The communiqué also said online donations were redirected to fund campaigning of party’s favourite candidates.
New Jersey supporters also lashed out at party’s star campaigner and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, saying his rallies had a negative impact on the party. “Bhagwant’s alcohol problem earned bad name to the party. His jokes on females and opposition were not in good taste. We feel that crowds may have come to his rallies for entertainment, but public want serious people to run the government,” wrote the NRIs.
Congratulating all the newly elected MLAs of AAP, the NRIs reaffirmed their support to the party, saying they will stand by it till it worked for safeguarding the interests of the common man and against corruption.
PARTY’S NEW ZEALAND CONVENER NOT HAPPY
Khushmeet Kaur Sidhu, the AAP convener in New Zealand, expressed her displeasure on her Facebook wall.
“Two persons led to defeat in Punjab, one led to defeat in Goa, they are still at the helm, it seems, Kejriwal is in coma and unable to see and listen. Things won’t work too long like this. God Bless AAP,” read her message in Punjabi.