The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today suspended rebel Punjab legislators Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Kanwar Sandhu from the party, accusing them of “indulging in anti-party activities” and “continuously attacking the central and state leadership”.
Reacting, Khaira said they had got “independence” and will try to form a “mahagathbandhan” to defeat the Akalis and the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections.
A statement by AAP’s state headquarters said Khaira and Sandhu had been consistently indulging in anti-party activities, and had continuously attacked the leadership. The decision was taken “after exhausting the available avenues to assuage them and make them see reason”.
Khaira termed it another attempt to muzzle the voice of Punjabis by the Delhi leadership. He said throwing principles of “swaraj” to the wind, convener Arvind Kejriwal has treated all leaders like this, whether Prashant Bhushan or Yogendra Yadav.
He said Delhi leaders like Durgesh Pathak were responsible for the bad show in polls, but the blame was put on state leaders. He said they, the Bains brothers and other AAP leaders are in talks with BSP and Panthic leaders and will participate in the LS polls as a “mahagathbandhan”. If needed, he will quit as MLA and re-contest, Khaira said.