After HS Phoolka, Punjab leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira quits AAP; not a concern, says Manish Sisodia

Days after HS Phoolka’s resignation, rebel Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Sunday quit the party, citing its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s “dictatorial attitude” as the reason. Khaira gave up AAP’s primary membership. He, however, will not resign as an MLA from Bholath. Khaira, who was suspended from the AAP for being involved in “anti-party activities” in November last year, alleged that the party had “totally deviated” from the ideology and principals it was formed. The rebel AAP leader has been a critic of the party’s top leadership at the Centre and the state, including Kejriwal.

“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. Unfortunately, after joining the party, I realised that the hierarchy of AAP was no different from the traditional centralised political parties,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

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In December last year, Khaira had announced to form his own political outfit the Punjab Democratic Alliance with suspended AAP MP Dharamvir Gandhi, the Lok Insaaf Party and other ‘like-minded parties’ in the state. He had said his Punjab Democratic Alliance would work towards liberating the state from the clutches of corrupt politicians and feudal families.

Reacting to the resignation of Khaira, top AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that he should only stay in the party if wanted to work for the country.

“If he wants to work for the nation, he should stay with us. But if he wants to work for his own interests, then he can go anywhere, how does it concern us?” ANI quoted Sisodia as saying.

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The resignation of Khaira came days after senior Lawyer and AAP leader from Punjab HS Phoolka gave up the party’s primary membership. Phoolka, who has been fighting for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, said the biggest reason he quit the politics was that he wanted to dedicate his time to social work.