‘All Khaira wants is my defeat’

CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann is in the hot seat again. Back at the helm as the state unit president, his immediate test is to put the party’s house in order. Given the ceaseless infighting and a wobbly organisational set-up, it’s an onerous challenge. Mann speaks to HT about the task at hand, his poll agenda and damage being done by rebels. Edited excerpts:

Constant infighting and desertions have left the AAP in tatters in Punjab. How do you plan to put things right?

No, the party has not gone off the track. There have been some issues, but they are manageable. Besides taking everyone along, I will travel to every corner of the state to connect with the cadres and motivate them. They all have faith in me and have been unanimous on my return as the state president. We will work together.

AAP was an idea that clicked in 2014 and won four LS seats. Why should people vote for an infighting-ridden party this time?

Ours is an honest party born out of an anti-corruption movement. We don’t have VIP leaders. We don’t propagate gunman culture. All our leaders are accessible and take up issues of public interest whereas the Congress and Akali leaders have lost connect with people and their problems. Akalis are hated for what they did during their 10-year rule. (Congress CM) Amarinder has failed to deliver on his promises. We are telling people if two doctors have failed to provide relief, there is no harm in trying another one.

What is going to be your poll agenda?

Unemployment is the biggest problem. Crime and drug problem are the consequences. Youngsters want to go abroad because there are no jobs here. Then, there is agriculture crisis. But the state government has no employment, agriculture, education, industrial or financial policy. It is a total failure. They have finished everything sarkari (government) – schools, hospitals, roadways and roads. We will showcase the Delhi model where the Kejriwal government has transformed government schools, hospital, etc.

Many leaders, including 8 of your 2014 candidates, have left the AAP or been thrown out. Isn’t this failure of the party leadership?

These were people who saw quick opportunity or were just eyeing posts. A few others wanted to ride the AAP wave. There are also some people to whom I went to with a request to contest in 2014, but they said new parties don’t succeed overnight. The same people jumped on the bandwagon three years later to benefit from the AAP wave. Gurpreet Ghuggi came three months before the polls, got the post of president, lost his seat and went back to films. If there is an AAP wave in 2022, I am sure he’ll try to come back. There is no place for deputationist inquilabis (revolutionaries) in the AAP. It’s good that those who hanker after posts of leader of opposition etc are gone.

To what extent will rebels led by Sukhpal Khaira damage the AAP?

They say they want to fight for Punjab, but are targeting the AAP. Their sole aim is to make plans to defeat Bhagwant Mann. What have I done to hurt the interests of Punjab? I have no stakes in any sand mine or dhaba. I have not got registered any false cases against anyone. He (Khaira) always speaks against (AAP convener) Kejriwal these days. Why he didn’t say these things as the leader of opposition? He is going to (contest from) Bathinda to dent the AAP candidate and help Harsimrat Kaur Badal win. The fact is that had the AAP not been there, Sukhbir and (Bikramjit Singh) Majithia would never have come out to streets to protest. Their (Akalis) game is over. The SAD was set up in 1920 and has been finished in 2019, like a 99-year lease. And, this is all because of the AAP.

Kejriwal appears to be focusing more on Haryana this time. Is Punjab no longer a priority for him?

Of course, Punjab is a priority. He has already addressed one rally. Two more are being planned in Majha and Doaba. Manish Sisodia will also campaign all over the state. I will go and campaign wherever the party wants me.

Any update on alliance talks with SAD (Taksali) and BSP?

We are talking to both parties, but nothing is final. Taksalis are based in Majha, BSP does well in Doaba and we are strong in Malwa. One doesn’t need to know rocket science to see that all three complement each other well. But we cannot associate with those who are trying to hurt the party. There will be no compromise on this.

The SAD was set up in 1920 and has been finished in 2019, like a 99-year lease.

And, this is all because of the AAP.