Khaira’s suspension to pose fresh challenge to AAP
The AAP’s decision to suspend dissident leaders Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Kanwar Sandhu seems set to pose fresh challenge for the party leadership in coming days.
Khaira, who along with seven other MLAs had staged a banner of revolt against the top leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in July this year after his removal from the post of leader of opposition, has announced to make efforts to form a “grand alliance” with like-minded leaders and groups as the third alternative in the state.
The two-time Bholath MLA will vie for the same space on the state’s political landscape as the AAP.
Also, six dissident MLAs, who had sided with him at the time of his sacking, are standing steadfastly by the two suspended leaders.
Khaira has convened a meeting of MLAs and other leaders supporting him in Chandigarh on Monday. The dissident faction has the support of eight of the 20 party legislators.
KHAIRA GROUP MLAS DARE LEADERSHIP
Terming the duo’s suspension “dictatorial and unwarranted”, Jaitu MLA Master Baldev Singh said they were working to strengthen the AAP and had approached the reconciliation talks with sincerity, but the party leadership acted out of vengeance, throwing all democratic norms to the winds.
“We are all together in this and not afraid of suspension or any other disciplinary action. The political affairs committee (a parallel decision-making group set up by rebels) will meet on Monday. I will be there,” he said.
Bhadaur MLA Pirmal Singh Dhaula dared the party leadership to take action.
“These people who are thriving on sycophancy also have brought the party on the margins. Those of us trying to strengthen the party have been dubbed as anti-party,” he said.
Garshankar MLA Jai Kishan Rori, Raikot legislator Jagtar Singh Jagga Hissowal and Maur MLA Jagdev Singh Kamalu have also come out in support of the suspended leaders. Mansa MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia is travelling abroad.
With these MLAs slamming the disciplinary action, their continued hobnobbing with the two suspended MLAs, who are likely to announce their own parallel organisational set-up soon, will pose a fresh challenge for the party.
Kejriwal, who was quick in suspending or kicking out dissenters in the past for violating party discipline, had prevaricated in action against Khaira and his supporters for months even as they went about challenging his authority again and again.
‘DUO WAS HARMING PARTY’S INTERESTS’
The AAP state leaders, however, blame Khaira and Sandhu, a former journalist, for the disciplinary action, saying they were given a long rope, but they kept indulging in anti-party activities.
“Despite the party’s reconciliation efforts, Khaira continued speaking against party leaders. He derailed the unity talks. After Kejriwal’s press conference last week, he posted four tweets disagreeing with his statements. Their actions were detrimental to the party and were harming our interest,” said a party leader.
THE TWOTIME BHOLATH MLA WILL VIE FOR THE SAME SPACE ON THE STATE’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AS THE AAP