‘Core panel will decide on action against Khaira’
Vibhor Mohan | TNN | Jan 9, 2019, 12:09 IST
Harpal Singh CheemaCHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and leader of opposition (LoP) in Punjab assembly Harpal Singh Cheema told TOI that the party’s state core committee will decide soon on what action needs to be taken against his former party colleague Sukhpal Khaira for quitting the party and launching his own outfit on Tuesday. He also questioned Khaira’s plans to contest Lok Sabha polls from Malwa region, instead of his own stronghold.
Do you plan to approach the Punjab speaker to seek Khaira’s disqualification?
AAP’s core committee will meet shortly and take a call on the matter and the party leadership in state will act accordingly. We have studied the legal aspects of the matter and para 2 (a) of Schedule 10 of the Constitution of India calls for disqualification from the legislative assembly if a member has “voluntarily given up his membership of such political party”.
What about the other six MLAs supporting Khaira, they were present at the launch of Punjabi Ekta Party, but did not share stage with him?
They continue to be members of AAP. They have not joined the new party. Therefore, there is no plan to take any action against them.
Khaira plans to contest Lok Sabha from Bathinda or Sangrur. Your comments.
He has a democratic right to contest from anywhere but if he is shifting to Malwa from his traditional constituency to contest elections, it shows that he has been given the task to oppose AAP in its stronghold of Malwa. Why doesn’t he contest the election from Amritsar if Punjabi Ekta Party is that strong? They want to influence our volunteers and we are already making them aware of their designs. Mushrooming of new parties is a common phenomenon close to the elections and such outfits fade away soon after.
Do you think the Punjabi NRIs disgruntled with AAP may shift to Khaira’s party?
We are reaching out to NRIs and most of them are back to supporting AAP. For some time, there were issues, but these have been resolved. Only some splinter groups may have switched sides.
Do you plan to approach the Punjab speaker to seek Khaira’s disqualification?
AAP’s core committee will meet shortly and take a call on the matter and the party leadership in state will act accordingly. We have studied the legal aspects of the matter and para 2 (a) of Schedule 10 of the Constitution of India calls for disqualification from the legislative assembly if a member has “voluntarily given up his membership of such political party”.
What about the other six MLAs supporting Khaira, they were present at the launch of Punjabi Ekta Party, but did not share stage with him?
They continue to be members of AAP. They have not joined the new party. Therefore, there is no plan to take any action against them.
Khaira plans to contest Lok Sabha from Bathinda or Sangrur. Your comments.
He has a democratic right to contest from anywhere but if he is shifting to Malwa from his traditional constituency to contest elections, it shows that he has been given the task to oppose AAP in its stronghold of Malwa. Why doesn’t he contest the election from Amritsar if Punjabi Ekta Party is that strong? They want to influence our volunteers and we are already making them aware of their designs. Mushrooming of new parties is a common phenomenon close to the elections and such outfits fade away soon after.
Do you think the Punjabi NRIs disgruntled with AAP may shift to Khaira’s party?
We are reaching out to NRIs and most of them are back to supporting AAP. For some time, there were issues, but these have been resolved. Only some splinter groups may have switched sides.
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