Punjabis will accept Kejriwal, but CM face will be from state: Mann
CAUTIOUS Sangrur MP says he is neither a contender for state convener’s post nor in race for CM face
The Congress also has leaders from Delhi for handling organisational matters in Punjab. Is Sonia from Bathinda? Is Harish Chaudhary from Bhucho Mandi? BHAGWANT MANN, AAP’s Sangrur MP
CHANDIGARH: As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces a deepening controversy over ouster of its state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur over a ‘cash sting’, its Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann has claimed that party chief Arvind Kejriwal will be acceptable to the people of Punjab but the CM face will be from the state.
In a programme — Press Conference — aired on ABP News on Saturday, reacting to a question on whether the party was not declaring its CM face since an ‘outsider’ Kejriwal will not be acceptable to the people of Punjab, Mann sounded cautiously optimistic over Punjabis accepting Kejriwal as chief minister if the rookie party is voted to power in the assembly elections due early next year. “Kejriwal will be acceptable to Punjab’s people but he had made it clear that he will serve Delhi for five years. The CM face of the party will be from Punjab,” he said.
On speculations that he was eyeing the post himself, the Mann said he was the chairman of the campaign committee of the party and was not a contender for the post of state convener or in race for the CM face. But when asked if he considered himself competent to become Punjab CM, Mann avoided a direct reply, saying, “I am a mass leader who lives in the hearts of people. I speak in their language and will accept whatever responsibility my party gives to me. I have told Kejriwal that I am ready to even paste posters on walls or wave the broom from a Ludhiana bridge.”On Chhotepur alleging that Delhi leaders were running the show and discrediting state leaders like him, Mann said even the Congress has leaders from Delhi for organisational matters. “Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder reports to Sonia Gandhi. Is Sonia from Bathinda? Is Harish Chaudhary (Congress secretary) from Bhucho Mandi? The Delhi leaders will go to some other state once we win in Punjab. They will not even contest the panchayat polls here,” he said.On suspended AAP MP Harinder Khalsa complaining to the Lok Sabha speaker that “he cannot sit next to Mann owing to smell of alcohol”, Mann said Khalsa was hand-in-glove with the Akalis and together they want to decimate AAP’s ‘Mission Punjab’. “The Congress and SAD will not win even if they form an alliance or bring US president Barack Obama. I am addressing rallies till 10pm. I put them on Facebook. I am also ready to put what I do after that online. Let there be a dope test for all MPs,” he said.
Chhotepur rejects probe panel, dares AAP leaders to make sting video public
Only Durgesh Pathak has the absolute power. Those who have the power get the money. Despite being the convener, I was never taken into confidence on spending money collected from Punjab. No receipt for money collection was issued. SUCHA SINGH CHHOTEPUR, sacked AAP Punjab convener
From page 01 CHANDIGARH: A day after he was removed as the Punjab convenor of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sucha Singh Chhotepur on Saturday rejected the panel set up by the party to probe allegations against him and dared the leadership to make public the video in which he was shown accepting money from a ticket aspirant.
He also hit out at the AAP leadership for “orchestrating” the sting operation against him and claimed that party leaders sitting in Delhi were collecting “huge sum” of money from volunteers in Punjab and NRIs without issuing receipts to them.
Barely six months ahead of the assembly polls in the state, the AAP on Friday removed 65-year-old Chhotepur as its Punjab convenor in the wake of the purported video clip in which he was allegedly seen accepting money.
“I was expecting it (the sacking) with the kind of allegation made against me. But I am a little surprised that a committee was formed after taking action against me. Generally, a committee is formed before taking action against any person in the party,” Chhotepur told reporters here on Saturday. “There is no sanctity of this committee as those people have been made part of this panel who wanted me out. They have now become the judge,” he said.
“How can I accept this? I will not present myself before the panel as I reject this committee,” he added.
After sacking Chhotepur, the AAP had announced a two-member panel comprising Jarnail Singh, party’s co-convenor in Punjab, and head of administrative and grievance cell Jasbir Singh Bir to probe the complaints against him.
Chhotepur has instead demanded a new panel with suspended MPs Dharamvira Gandhi, Harinder Singh Khalsa and chairman of Punjab dialogue Kanwar Sandhu for conducting “impartial inquiry” in the matter.
“I want them to show the video,” he said, adding, “I was expecting appreciation for putting in heart and soul for two and half years to build the party in Punjab. And now they have done this with me. God will never forgive them.”On the allegations, he said he could not favour any ticket aspirant as he was not even a member of party’s political affairs committee, the highest decision making body.
“Only Durgesh Pathak (national organisation building head) has the absolute power,” he claimed. “I was powerless. Those who have the power they get the money. Despite being the convenor, I was never taken into confidence on spending money collected from Punjab. I was never told how much money has been received from abroad. No receipt of money collection was issued,” he claimed.
Asked whether he will join Congress, Chhotepur said he has not yet decided on this front. “There is no offer from the Congress. I know Captain Amarinder Singh for the past 30 years. Volunteers are my strength. I will go by whatever decision is taken by my supporters. I am not in hurry,” he said.
Yesterday Amarinder, while being asked whether Congress would welcome Chhotepur, said, “Congress party’s doors are open for everyone whether Chhotepur, Navjot Singh Sidhu (cricketer-turnedpolitician), Pargat Singh or Inderbir Bolaria (suspended Akali Dal MLAs)”.
Chhotepur, who had expressed displeasure ticket distribution by the AAP, also claimed that there was strong opposition by volunteers against 25 out of the 32 candidates who have so far been given tickets. He also hit out at AAP leaders, including MP Bhagwant Mann for just “bowing” before the senior leadership for every decision in order to stay in the party.
Meanwhile, Chhotepur claimed that six Parliamentary zonal coordinators out of total 13 coordinators of the party in Punjab are with him. He said they are Jasbir Dhaliwal (Anandpur Sahib zone), HS Cheema (Jalandhar zone), Gurinder Bajwa (Amritsar zone), Amardeep Gill (Gurdaspur zone), Iqbal Singh (Khadoor Sahib zone) and Narinderpal Sharma Bhagta (Bathinda zone).
Chhotepur rejects panel, dares AAP to make video public
Chandigarh, August 27
A day after he was removed as Punjab convener of AAP, Sucha Singh Chhotepur on Thursday rejected the panel set up by the party to probe allegations against him and dared the leadership to make public the video in which he was shown accepting money from a ticket aspirant.
He also hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party leadership for "orchestrating" the sting operation against him and claimed that AAP leaders sitting in Delhi were collecting "huge sum" of money from volunteers in Punjab and NRIs without issuing receipts to them.
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Barely six months ahead of the Assembly polls in the state, AAP yesterday removed 65-year-old Chhotepur as its Punjab convener, in the wake of the purported video clip in which he was allegedly seen accepting money.
"I was expecting it (the sacking) with the kind of allegation made against me. But I am a little surprised that a committee was formed after taking action against me.
Also read: Chhotepur loses Punjab post
Generally, a committee is formed before taking action against any person in the party," Chhotepur told reporters here today.
"There is no sanctity of this committee as those people have been made part of this panel who wanted me out. They have now become the judge," he said.
"How can I accept this? I will not present myself before the panel as I reject this committee," he added.
After sacking Chhotepur, AAP had announced a two-member panel comprising Jarnail Singh, party's co-convener in Punjab, and head of administrative and grievance cell Jasbir Singh Bir to probe the complaints against him.
Chhotepur has instead demanded a new panel with suspended MPs Dharamvira Gandhi, Harinder Singh Khalsa and chairman of Punjab dialogue Kanwar Sandhu for conducting "impartial inquiry" in the matter.
He has also dared AAP to make the video public in which he was shown accepting money.
"I want them to show the video," he said, adding, "I was expecting appreciation for putting in heart and soul for two-and-a-half-years to build the party in Punjab. And now they have done this with me. God will never forgive them."
On the allegations, he said he could not favour any ticket aspirant as he was not even a member of party's Political Affairs Committee, the highest decision making body.
"Only Durgesh Pathak (national organisation building head) has the absolute power," he claimed.
"I was powerless. Those who have the power they get the money. Despite being the convener, I was never taken into confidence on spending money collected from Punjab. I was never told how much money has been received from abroad. No receipt of money collection was issued," he claimed.
Asked whether he will join the Congress, Chhotepur said he has not yet decided on this front. "There is no offer from Congress. I know Captain Amarinder Singh for the last 30 years. Volunteers are my strength. I will go by whatever decision is taken by my supporters. I am not in hurry," he said.
Yesterday Amarinder, while being asked whether Congress would welcome Chhotepur, said, "Congress party's doors are open for everyone whether Chhotepur, Navjot Singh Sidhu (cricketer-turned-politician), Pargat Singh or Inderbir Bolaria (suspended Akali Dal MLAs).”
Chhotepur, who had expressed displeasure ticket distribution by AAP, also claimed that there was strong opposition by volunteers against 25 out of the 32 candidates who have so far been given tickets.
He also hit out at AAP leaders, including MP Bhagwant Mann for just "bowing" before the senior leadership for every decision in order to stay in the party.
Meanwhile, Chhotepur claimed that six Parliamentary zonal coordinators out of total 13 coordinators of the party in Punjab are with him.
He said they are Jasbir Dhaliwal (Anandpur Sahib zone), H S Chhema (Jalandhar zone), Gurinder Bajwa (Amritsar zone), Amardeep Gill (Gurdaspur zone), Iqbal Singh (Khadoor Sahib zone) and Narinderpal Sharma Bhagta (Bathinda zone). — PTI
AAP transitioned from ‘use and throw’ to ‘use and destroy’: Yadav
New Delhi, August 27
A day after Sucha Singh Chhotepur was removed as the AAP's Punjab convener, expelled leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday took a caustic jibe at the party's top leadership, saying it has transitioned from being “use and throw” to “use and destroy”.
AAP rebel MLA Pankaj Pushkar, who accompanied Yadav, accused the Delhi government of "gagging" free speech inside the Assembly.
"The party has made major strides from use and throw to use and destroy," Yadav said at a press conference when asked to react on the removal of Chhotepur on charges of alleged acceptance of bribe from a ticket aspirant.
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's demand for a comparative CAG study of publicity expenses by Delhi and other states, he asked, "Is he suggesting that the CAG is a tool of the ruling BJP? Is he advising the CAG on how it should go about its work?"
Pushkar alleged, "Freedom of speech is being gagged in the House. I would not leave the party as it is a tool born out of the India against Corruption Movement. I am answerable to that movement and the people of Timarpur."
The Timarpur legislator, who has been opposing the party's position on several issues, also alleged that he was not being given the chance to even use the press room in the House premises.
Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who were among the founding members of AAP, were expelled from the party over allegations of anti-party activities last year. — PTI
AAP not to act against ‘troublesome’ lawmakers before Punjab polls
New Delhi, August 28
Over the past one month, the AAP has been facing trouble from its four rebel lawmakers, but the party has decided against sacking them ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls to avoid opening “another front”.
The decision not to take action against them has been taken as it would lead to opening another front which would mean diverting the party’s energy from the campaign, AAP sources said.
The party had removed rebels like Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, but sacking the lawmakers would mean “freedom” from the ambit of the anti-defection law.
Its MP Bhagwant Mann is in the dock for making a video of the Parliament complex and live-streaming it. He has also been accused by suspended AAP MP Harinder Singh Khalsa of coming to the House drunk, causing embarrassment to the party. Mann has refuted the charge of alcoholism.
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Dharamvira Gandhi, another suspended MP from Patiala, has announced formation of an alternative political front at a time when the AAP is putting all its energy to wrest Punjab from the SAD-BJP coalition in the state Assembly polls scheduled early next year.
The two MPs were suspended from the AAP for anti-party activities after they criticised its leadership for expelling Yadav and Bhushan.
“Why should I resign from the party. Let them throw me out. As an MP, I have obligations towards the voters of my constituency,” Gandhi had said at the launch of the front last week.
In Delhi, the party is facing a peculiar situation. A former Minister Asim Ahmed Khan, sacked over alleged graft charges, claimed that he and his family are facing “death threats” from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and some other partymen.
In another instance, its Timarpur MLA Pankaj Pushkar, who is known to be close to Yadav, has moved breach of privilege notice against Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for “misleading” the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
“The party does not want to make another Binny and create trouble for itself. We have learnt lessons from it,” said an AAP leader.
Vinod Kumar Binny won from Laxmi Nagar in AAP’s debut Assembly polls in December 2013. He was later expelled from the party and joined the BJP. He contested against Sisodia in the 2015 Assembly polls.
“Why do we expel them? They want us to do that. Expelling them from the party will not only free them from the party, but they will be able to join another political outfit.
“We don’t intend to give any chance that would increase the strength of the BJP or any other party in the Delhi Legislative Assembly,” said another AAP leader.
The rebels have to toe the party line in Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha.
Pushkar and Khan have not even been suspended for their actions.
“Technically they still remain the members of the party despite their rebellion. So, they have to abide by the party whip. The moment they violate the whip, or join any other party political party, they will stand disqualified,” said another AAP leader.
Talking about Pushkar, the leader said, “He opposed the education policy of the Delhi government, but when the Bill was put to vote, he had to vote in its favour. Isn’t this a U turn that he is opposing a particular issue, but votes in favour of it.”
Pushkar, however, said, “I have never embarrassed the party, but have raised pertinent questions. I abide by the party whip, but it is also my duty to raise the issues concerning people.” — PTI
Khaira defends Chhotepur, says conspiracy cannot be ruled out
Aparna Banerji
The leader — who Chhotepur named as one of the people who supported him — said the party’s decision to sack the leader had shaken AAP’s volunteers in the state as well as its supporters abroad.
He also asked the party to reconsider candidates for some of the assembly seats "for the sake of disappointed party workers”.
However, he dismissed Chhotepur’s claims that Kejriwal was “anti-Sikh” and allegations from some quarters that the party’s national convener was an outsider, although he admitted that the AAP’s central leadership should to allow Punjab’s unit to have a greater say in the party’s state affairs.
Khaira’s statement comes days after AAP suspended Chhotepur from the position of Punjab convener until a committee investigated allegations that he had accepted a “bribe” from a volunteer after a "sting" video surfaced.
Chhotepur has denied any wrongdoing and has accused AAP leaders Durgesh Pathak and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia of being behind the video.
Jalandhar, August 28
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira defended Punjab unit’s dismissed convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur saying that “a conspiracy against him could not be ruled out".
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