Bhagwant Mann says cannot do much on Ghuggi’s exit from AAP All AAP MLAs united, won’t shift loyalties, says Khaira

Friday, 12/05/2017

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CHANDIGARH : A day after former Punjab unit chief Gurpreet Singh Waraich ‘Ghuggi’ resigned from the primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), newly appointed state president Bhagwant Mann said it was his personal decision: “I can’t help it.”

“He (Ghuggi) is like my brother and we worked together in the entertainment industry for many years, but, if he has separated himself from the party due to ideological reasons, I can’t do anything now, I wish he had stayed,” said Mann on the phone. He is expected to reach Punjab “in a few days”, and added that his best wishes are with Ghuggi.

Ghuggi, while announcing his resignation on Wednesday, had also said that he could not work in the party under Mann “who had to defend himself for his habits of excessive drinking”. Mann, however, refused to react on the “alcoholic” charge.

About senior AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who also resigned from the post of chief whip on Monday when Mann was made state president, the latter said, “He is a senior colleague and I seek his support to run party affairs.” JALANDHAR: Amid reports that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators in Punjab are keen on joining other parties, Bholath MLA and former AAP chief whip in assembly Sukhpal Khaira on Thursday said such claims were a ploy by rivals to divide the party.

Addressing a press conference here, Khaira asked BJP and Congress leaders to come forward and share evidence of AAP MLAs approaching them. “It’s a false propaganda of the BJP and the Congress. All 20 AAP MLAs in the state are united and will work to strengthen the party,” he said.

Khaira’s clarification comes three days after he quit the post of AAP chief whip in the assembly to protest the appointment of Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann as the state unit chief. Khaira had also criticised AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal by making the appointment without consulting the state leadership.

On Gurpreet Singh Waraich ‘Ghuggi’ quitting the party following his removal as state convener, Khaira said, “It’s an unfortunate development. Ghuggi worked hard for the party during the recent elections.”

He said the party leadership should have considered the views of non-resident Indian (NRI) supporters, who blame Mann for the poll debacle. A section of NRIs had written to Kejriwal against appointing Mann as the Punjab unit chief.

Khaira also said that AAP is not in a position to win Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and upcoming MC elections. “If AAP wants to regain its popularity in Punjab, it should return to its principles.”

DOES U-TURN ON MEETING KISHOR BEFORE POLLS

In a complete U-turn from his earlier statement, Khaira said just before the assembly elections, he had met Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor in a meeting arranged by his friend. He claimed Kishor offered him cabinet minister’s portfolio if he joined the Congress but he declined the offer.

However, he had dismissed talk of a meeting as baseless speculation and even threatened defamation when media reported about his purported meeting. “There is not even an iota of truth in it. I had left the Congress after due diligence and introspection. I am not willing to return to it,” he had then said.