AAP declares Khaira’s Bathinda meet anti-party

CHANDIGARH: The rift between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the defiant MLAs led by former leader of opposition Sukhpal Khaira is all set to escalate with the party totally distancing itself from the volunteers’ convention being held by the latter in Bathinda on August 2.

Calling it anti-party, Delhi deputy chief minister and Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia told 40-odd party officebearers from the state, who met him on Monday, that the convention was not a party function. “Sisodia even posed a query whether this event is being held against the mafia or against the party,” said Punjab unit state co-president Balbir Singh.

He said party had made its stand clear to everyone. Asked if the party would take action against those accepting Khaira camp’s invitation, he said it was the prerogative of the central leadership, sounding a warning to those associating with the disgruntled leaders. “The state leaders were also told that 15 of the 20 MLAs gave their consent to the decision to appoint a new leader of opposition,” he added.

The convention is being organised by nine MLAs who had publicly rejected the party’s decision to replace Khaira and raised a banner of revolt by announcing the August 2 meet to decide their future strategy. In a meeting with these MLAs on Sunday, Sisodia had asked them to call off the convention but they refused.

SISODIA MEETS 40ODD OFFICEBEARERS FROM PUNJAB LED BY STATE UNIT COPRESIDENT BALBIR SINGH