AAP’s Punjab unit rejects resignation of Bhagwant Mann, Aman Arora

As it battles revolt within its ranks, the state leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Saturday, passed a resolution rejecting the resignations of state convener Bhagwant Mann and co-president Aman Arora.

The senior state leadership of the party, including zone presidents, wing presidents, district presidents and halqa presidents had met under co-president Balbir Singh.

The Sangrur MP (Mann) and Sunam MLA Arora had quit party posts in protest against the ‘unconditional’ apology that AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had offered to Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia over drug allegations against him. These allegations had been the main poll plank of the AAP in the 2014 Lok Sabha and 2017 state elections.

Raising a banner of revolt, ousted leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira, on Thursday, had declared the state unit as autonomous at a workers’ convention in Bathinda. Seven other AAP legislators had supported him. Balbir said discussion about the present and the future of the AAP in Punjab was held during the meeting.

The party will also take on the rebel group. Balbir said the in-charge of AAP, Punjab, and Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia along with Mann will address office-bearers on August 13 in Jalandhar.

The party will also hold conferences at Issru and Baba Bakala on August 15 and 26, respectively.

Saturday’s meeting also hailed the appointment of Harpal Singh Cheema as the leader of the opposition and thanked the party ‘high command’ for giving respect to the Dalit community.

First Published: Aug 05, 2018 09:52 IST