Khaira group forms 5-member panel to resolve in-fighting in AAP's Pb unit

Punjab AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who is leading a dissident group of legislators, on Tuesday said a five-member committee has been constituted to resolve differences within the state unit of the party.

The five-member panel will hold discussions with other members of the party to resolve the differences over autonomy for the AAP's state unit and other matters, he said in a statement here.

The five-members are Kanwar Sandhu, Nazar Singh Mansahia, Baldev Singh, Jagdev Singh (all MLAs) and Suresh Sharma.

"The basis of talks, if any, with our party colleagues will be the six resolutions passed at the AAP volunteers' convention at Bathinda on August 2," Khaira said.

Significantly, last month, AAP MLA Aman Arora had initiated talks with dissident group of legislators led by Khaira. However, the result of the talks was not known.

This month, the AAP, as part of its efforts to make peace with "rebels" and "former leaders", had reached out to the former Punjab convener of the AAP, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who was sacked on charges of taking bribe for allotting party tickets.

The party had plunged into the deep crisis after Khaira was unceremoniously removed from the post of Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly.

Meanwhile, Khaira said the AAP will hold a 'Peoples' march' from Kotkapura to Behbal Kalan to Bargari on October 7 to press the state government to ensure justice on the basis of the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report.

He said it was unfortunate that the ruling Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal were holding "competitive rallies" to "deny justice" on issues of religious sacrilege on October 7 in Lambi and Patiala respectively.

"We appeal to the people to give both, the Congress and the SAD, a befitting reply," MLA Kanwar Sandhu said.