War of words over? Bhagwant Mann and Sukhpal Singh Khaira hug it out on stage

PANDORI (BARNALA): The embattled Punjab unit of Aam Aadmi Party was witness to some reconciliation, though just for a few minutes, at the bhog of Mehal Kalan MLA Kulwant Singh Pandori's father, Kaka Singh, here on Sunday.

Just a few days after a bitter war of words with Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann allowed the dissenting leader to come to the stage and address the gathering. Except for Khaira, only party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was allowed to speak at the ceremony.

Though leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema too spoke at the event, his address was customary and lasted about a minute. Mann called Khaira a senior leader of the party. On other hand, Khaira said Mann was like his younger brother. The two hugged each other on the stage too. Mann later said talks were on with the dissenting MLAs and all issues would be resolved soon. "We are all part of a family. The differences, if any, will be set right," he said.

Party MLA Aman Arora has already held a meeting with Khaira and has asked him to sink differences. Khaira too said he was very much in the AAP. "If the party accepts the resolutions we passed at the Bathinda convention, we have no objection in joining hands with other leaders," he said.

Meanwhile, police here heaved a sigh of relief as there was no protest during AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Pandori village. The force was apprehending that alienated volunteers of the party could cause trouble. Some AAP workers owing allegiance to dissenting MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira had on August 13 raised slogans against Bhagwant Mann when he had gone to attend the cremation of MLA Kulwant Singh Pandori's father. The workers had an altercation with his security staff as they wanted to meet Mann. A senior police official they were still on the alert throughout.