Khaira hints at contesting LS elections from Bathinda
BATHINDA: Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party and floated a new political outfit Punjabi Ekta Party (PEP) said he might contest the Lok Sabha elections from Bathinda as desired by party workers.
Talking to the media during the inauguration of his party’s district office here, Khaira said: “There is a demand from voters of the segment as well as workers of the PEP that I should contest from Bathinda, so there is a possibility that I might contest from this segment.”
He said that he will discuss about it with members of the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) and any decision in this regard will be taken in a democratic way.
Khaira’s PEP, Lok Insaaf Party, Bahujan Samaaj Party and suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi are members of the PDA.
Khaira said efforts are on to expand the PDA and talks will be held with the Left parties also. We want to unite the whole opposition for Lok Sabha elections against the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, he said.
He said another AAP MLA will resign from the party in coming days. He, however, didn’t disclose the name of MLA.
On Bhagwant Mann meeting SAD (Taksali) leaders, Khaira said it shows that the AAP too is looking for alliance partners in Punjab as their cadre in state has eroded.
He said if the AAP shows interest in becoming a part of the PDA, it can be discussed within alliance, but the party will have to correct its wrongs such as apology by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal from SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia over drug charges.