Ghuggi comes out in support of shunted AAP leader Khaira

Chandigarh, Aug 1 : Punjabi cine actor and former convenor of the AAP’s state unit Gurpreet Singh Waraich ‘Ghuggi’ today came out in support of AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, urging the party workers too to back him and attend his convention tomorrow at Bathinda.

Ghuggi pledged his support to Khaira in a video message to the AAP volunteers, while also urging them to do likewise.

“I fought a long battle for Punjab but it could not succeed because the intentions of the people along with whom he was fighting, were not clean.

“I feel sorry that whenever anybody raises his voice in the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab’s interest, it is suppressed. You can find such instances in the party’s recent history,” he said.

Taking a dig at the party central leadership, Ghuggi said now the party does not like Khaira who always raised his voice in Punjab’s interest.

“Sukhpal Khaira who talks about Punjab’ interest is not being liked by the party,” he said, while asking, “What could be more distressing than this?”

“Let’s come and support a leader who is standing for the interest of Punjab. He has organised a convention in Bathinda on August 2.

“I want those AAP workers and volunteers who uphold Punjab’s interest to support Khaira and attend his August 2 convention at Bathinda,” said the Punjabi cine actor and comedian-turned-politician.

Ghuggi, who unsuccessfully contested 2017 assembly elections from Batala seat, had resigned from the primary membership of the party after Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann was appointed as the chief of the party’s state unit in May 2017.

Ghuggi was made the state convenor in September 2016, replacing Sucha Singh Chhotepur who had been sacked on charges of accepting money from a party worker.

Khaira and his supporters among the state MLAs are organising the party workers’ convention at Bathinda tomorrow.

Though the AAP has described it as anti-party act, Khaira has insisted it is being organised to “strengthen” the party.

The AAP is being seen as facing a palpable crisis in Punjab after unceremonious removal of Khaira from the post of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

As many as eight of the party’s MLAs have openly raised the banner of revolt against the decision to strip Khaira of the LOp position, calling it as “undemocratic” and demanding its review.