Senior Advocate and Prominent AAP leader in Punjab H S Phoolka on Saturday stepped down from all party posts, stating that he wanted to focus and devote ‘undivided attention’ to the ongoing 1984 Sikh genocide cases as they were at a ‘crucial juncture’.
Even as Phoolka, a senior advocate, and the party maintained that he would continue to be an ‘inherent part’ of the AAP, the decision came as a big blow to the party’s hopes in the forthcoming assembly polls in Punjab.
Phoolka announced that he had decided to quit active politics and had taken the decision after “detailed discussions” with party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
[highlight]“After detailed discussions with Kejriwal ji and with his approval, it has been decided mutually that I quit active politics and resign from party posts…Now, the cases of Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler are at a very crucial juncture. These matters are on trial and the evidence of witnesses is being recorded. There is a conspiracy to shield them at the highest level. I feel, at this critical stage, these cases and this issue needs my undivided attention,” Phoolka said.[/highlight]
He maintained that he would remain an ‘inherent’ part of AAP, which, he said, is “standing on the cusp of winning the next assembly polls in Punjab”.
Phoolka rubbished rumours that his decision was triggered by the rift in AAP’s Punjab unit, following the suspension of two party MPs.
[highlight]“As much as an inherent part as I am of AAP, my dedication to the cause of 1984 remains unaltered. At this stage, where I feel I am needed more for these cases, I must not hesitate to take a step back from everything else and give the cause my undivided attention,” Phoolka wrote on his Facebook post.[/highlight]
“It appears that the victory of AAP in the 2017 elections is inevitable. It is extremely unfortunate that despite the passage of over three decades, even today we are fighting for the same thing we have been fighting for since 1984… to bring the real culprits to book,” he said.
According to sections of the party, Phoolka was hard-pressed with these cases and had begun to disapprove of the party’s stand on some of them. However, AAP leaders pointed out that Phoolka is now poised to take a ‘hard stand’ during the hearings of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases and this might have embarrassed the party. Also, the party has been attacking Kapil Sibal for representing several Congress leaders and felt it was at the risk of being accused of the same, with Phoolka representing AAP leaders in the dock, said sources.
“Hence, he decided to disassociate himself from active politics and the party, so that his political leanings do not come in the way. But he will continue to be a key figure in the party,” said a senior leader. Party sources said that Phoolka has been close to Kejriwal and there were no visible strains between them.