Rebel MLAs dare AAP to expel Khaira; Phoolka calls for peace

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 26

The rebel group of eight AAP MLAs on Sunday dared the party high command to expel Sukhpal Khaira and questioned Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann’s authority to make such a claim even as former Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka made another bid for peace via Twitter asking all MLAs to introspect on their role as representatives of people.

In his tweet on Sunday, Phoolka asked the MLAs to focus on news of other parties regarding their floor strategy for the ongoing Assembly session and not on issues like seats and posts.

Talking to The Tribune, he said he would continue to make peace attempts as promises made to the people of Punjab were far more important than posts and seats. Phoolka has emerged as the main peace maker and neutral MLA in the infighting between the warring groups.

Meanwhile, the war of words continued with the rebel group taking on Mann on his claim that Khaira would be expelled from the party soon. “Bhagwant Mann must tell under which authority he is claiming this. He has already resigned from the post of state convener,” a leader said.

Khaira also questioned Mann saying he had disappeared from Punjab after the elections and was not with party MLAs when they were fighting drugs and sand mafia. “Now, he has suddenly become active and going around the state making statements about impending decisions. He has no post and it seems he is just conveying decisions on somebody else’s behalf,” he said.