AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Tuesday said his charge of the party leadership’s “dictatorial attitude” was “vindicated” with state in-charge Manish Sisodia terming the August 2 volunteers’ convention an anti-party activity.
On July 27, Khaira was unceremoniously removed as the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly. As many as eight AAP MLAs raised the banner of revolt against the “undemocratic” decision and demanded a review.
The next day it was decided to hold the convention in Bathinda to discuss issues being faced by Punjab and the crisis within AAP. Yesterday, Sisodia declared that the convention being organised by Khaira and MLAs supporting him is an anti-party activity
By terming our 2nd Aug meet as anti party activity Mr Sisodia has vindicated our charge of dictatorial attitude,if we Pbi’ can’t hold a simple meeting on our soil then how will we safeguard the interests of Pb?The Aap meet at Bathinda will settle the issue for once and all-khaira
— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) July 31, 2018
“By terming our 2nd Aug meet as anti party activity Mr Sisodia has vindicated our charge of dictatorial attitude, if we Pbi’ (Punjabis) can’t hold a simple meeting on our soil then how will we safeguard the interests of Pb (Punjab)? The AAP meet at Bathinda will settle the issue for once and all,” Khaira said in a tweet.
“Issues related to Punjab will be decided by the state’s people or Manish Sisodia and other leaders sitting in Delhi?” he asked in a Facebook post.
“I want to ask Punjabi people living around the world whether we have to take permission for holding a meeting in Punjab from the leaders in Delhi,” he said.
“People sitting in Delhi may think they are wiser than us. But we know what the burning issues of the state are,” he further stated. Khaira claimed the convention was being organised on the demand of the party’s volunteers and said it will certainly be held.
“From the day one, we have been saying that the August 2 Bathinda convention is going to be held under the party banner. We think that it will strengthen the party,” he said.
Punjab unit AAP co-president Balbir Singh countered Khaira’s claim.
“The leadership has already clarified that it is not a party meeting, rather it will weaken the party,” Singh said. He also questioned the timing of the convention.
Asked if any action will be taken against those who attend the convention, Singh said the party’s national leadership will take a call on it.
