AAP leaders take on each other

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 21

The infighting in the AAP turned ugly when the party’s state co-convener Balbir Singh and Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira took on each other at a press conference here today.

Khaira left the press conference, which was called on the alleged manhandling of Ropar MLA Amarjit Sandoya by men of a sand mining group, in a huff soon after the media pushed the leaders for their comments on the Sikh Referendum issue.

Last week, Khaira claimed that the party leaders, including Balbir, did not verify his statements on the Sikh Referendum 2020, before criticising it. However, Balbir had tweeted that he called Khaira five times, but the calls were not answered.

At the press conference today, both stuck to their stand. Khaira said he did not receive any call while Balbir brandished his phone, trying to show the call logs. Soon, Kotkapura MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan intervened and asked the media to raise questions on the manhandling issue only. He said vested interests wanted to divide the party and even charged mediapersons with playing games. Earlier, the party leaders demanded that a case should be registered against those who allegedly attacked Sandoya and said the state was witnessing the worst law and order situation.

Referendum row

Last week, Sukhpal Khaira claimed that party leaders did not verify his statements on the Sikh Referendum 2020, before criticising it. However, Balbir Singh had tweeted that he called Khaira five times, but the calls were not answered. At the press conference on Thursday, both stuck to their stand.