Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Nov 7
Rift within the Aam Aam Aadmi Party over Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira’s suspected links with a convicted drug smuggler grew wider on Tuesday, with 14 of the party’s 20 lawmakers asking for action against dissenters.
Fourteen AAP lawmakers met on Tuesday to authorise Deputy State Convenor Aman Arora to recommend action against the six dissenting legislators — among them Deputy Leader of Opposition Sarvjit Kaur Manuke and Talwandi Sabo legislator Baljinder Kaur.
Khaira held a press briefing soon after the meeting in an attempted show of strength.
The development comes as chorus for action against Khaira grows both within and outside AAP. The dissidents want the leader to resign in keeping with the party’s ethos. The party on the other hand accuses the six lawmakers of going against its official line.
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Delhi unit held a protest in Delhi on Tuesday to demand action against him, prompting police to use water cannon.
A court issued non-baliable warrant against Khaira and some other leaders in connection with a cross-border heroin smuggling case that dates back to 2015 last week.
Khaira is suspected of having links to Gurdev Singh, a former chairman of the Dhilwan Market Committee who was sentenced to 20 years of jail on drug charges on November 2.
Khaira has denied all wrongdoing.
