Another Jolt to AAP: After HS Phoolka, Punjab MLA Sukhpal Khaira quits party

It is being speculated that MLA Kanwar Sandhu who allegedly belongs to the Khaira camp within the party will also be following the footsteps of the two leaders.

Source: PTI

New Delhi: In a major jolt to the Aam Admi Party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Punjab MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira resigned from the party’s primary membership. Khaira was recently suspended from AAP for indulging in anti-party activities. ‘AAP has "totally deviated" from the ideology and principles on which it was formed post the Anna Hazare movement’, Khaira was quoted as saying by PTI, post his resignation. The "current political culture of traditional parties of the country stands badly decayed, due to which immense hope was generated by the formation of AAP," the Bolath MLA said in his resignation letter, copies of which have been released to the media. “..Unfortunately after joining the party I realised that the hierarchy of AAP was no different from the traditional centralised political parties..," Khaira said. Khaira had been a vocal critic of AAP's leadership since he was removed as leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly in July last year. Speculations are rife about yet another upcoming resignation from the party. It is being speculated that MLA Kanwar Sandhu who allegedly belongs to the Khaira camp within the party will also be resigning soon. Khaira, along with seven supporters, had formed a rebel group which sought autonomy for AAP's Punjab unit, after he was removed as leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly in July last year. This is said to be a major jolt to the party within a week. Earlier this week, party’s senior leader and a prominent lawyer H S Phulka had tendered his resignation from the party saying that conversion of an anti-corruption drive into political party was a mistake. Phulka had also said that his motive was to bring the victims of the 1984 Sikh riots to justice. The differences within Aam Admi Party have been on a rise lately. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections for which preparations in the party are in full swing, the resignation of senior leaders may damage party’s further scope.