Punjab: AAP infighting reaches Vidhan Sabha

The infighting in AAP's Punjab unit was evident in the Vidhan Sabha today with the two warring factions not backing each other over the respective issues raised by them.

The rebel group, led by the Aam Aadmi Party's former leader of opposition (LoP) Sukhpal Singh Khaira, protested against the reported plans of the Sangrur district administration to open a bar at the heritage Maharaja Ranbir Club.

While the group stormed into the Well of the House during the Zero Hour and raised anti-government slogans, the other 12 MLAs, led by the current LoP Harpal Singh Cheema, remained seated.

Next, AAP MLA H S Phoolka trooped into the Well of the House with the Cheema faction.

They were protesting parliamentary affairs minister Brahm Mohindra's request that the names of certain Congress leaders mentioned in chief minister Amarinder Singh's remarks about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots be expunged.

Speaking about the riots, Singh had told the House that during his visit to relief camps, people had named individuals, including Congress leaders H K L Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, Arjan Das and Dharamdas Shastri.

Phoolka's plea to the rebel group for support went in vain.

The AAP plunged into crisis after Khaira was sacked as the LoP in July.

Ever since the crisis has only deepened with the dissidents forming an ad hoc Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and naming Khaira as the interim chief of the party's state unit.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has played down the infighting, calling it a family matter.