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Disappointed with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s apology to SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab unit leaders today condemned AAP’s national convenor’s step in unanimous voice, saying his “meek surrender” was “painful and very unfortunate.”
They also said that state unit leaders were now facing allegations whether Kejriwal had entered into an understanding with Akali Dal by tendering apology to Majithia in defamation case.
Kejriwal tendered the apology to former minister Majithia yesterday for levelling charges of involvement in drugs trade against him.
As many as 20 MLAs including two legislators of Lok Insaf Party today held a meeting here to decide on the next course of action in the wake of Kejriwal’s apology.
“There was only one opinion of all the MLAs here today. All of them condemned (Kejriwal) apology. Moreover, we were not taken into confidence before he tendered an apology,” said AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira while talking to reporters here.
Later, after holding marathon meeting, AAP MLAs also discussed possibility of separating from the Delhi unit in the wake of Kejriwal’s apology.
“But no consensus was achieved on breaking away as many MLAs felt that views should be taken from volunteers and constituents before taking any further decision. Therefore we have deferred a decision,” AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu told reporters after the meeting.
AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann, who was away to Delhi, and senior leader H S Phoolka also said that they would support whatever decision AAP leaders from Punjab take, said Sandhu.
Asked if LIP has decided to part ways with AAP, Sandhu said they will continue to support us.
Khaira, who is also leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly, said even state unit chief and co-chief Bhagwant Mann and Aman Arora respectively were also not taken into confidence by Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia in a meeting held with them two days back.
AAP MLAs were also of the opinion that Kejriwal should not have tendered apology when he himself led the charge against Majithia on drug issue during 2017 Punjab Assembly polls.
“As far as apology of Kejriwal is concerned in defamation case, all party leaders are of the unanimous opinion that Kejriwal sahib should not have tendered apology,” said Khaira.
Among other issues, drug abuse was a major issue in the Punjab Assembly elections last year, he said.
He further said that special task force had also submitted a report on the alleged role of Majithia with drug traffickers in Punjab and Haryana High Court.
“It is a matter of pain that on one side Kejriwal could not understand the ground reality and he was giving his apology and on other hand STF submitted its report in the high court,” he said.
“In such circumstances, Kejriwal’s apology was painful, very unfortunate. It is like our big leader while showing psychological weakness, has surrendered,” added Khaira.
“Therefore, we do not agree with his apology,” he said.
Khaira said that he was getting numerous messages from volunteers following the apology by Kejriwal and said that he wanted to ensure that whatever decision is taken, it would be in the interest of Punjab.
NB–PTI
