After putting in his papers as the member of Punjab legislative assembly, renowned advocate HS Phoolka on Thursday submitted his resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) primary membership.
Phoolka, a senior advocate who has fought the legal battle for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims, submitted his resignation to the AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The move comes amid speculation over possibility of an alliance between the Congress and AAP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
In a tweet, Phoolka said that he would explain reason behind the move in a press briefing in Delhi on Friday. “I have resigned from AAP and handed over resignation to Kejriwal ji today. Though he asked me not to resign but I insisted. Will be briefing media tomorrow at 4 pm at Press Club, Raisina Road, New Delhi to explain the Reason of leaving AAP and my further plans,” he wrote on Twitter.
Phoolka had all along been opposing AAP's any allinance with the Congress.
Notably, AAP has not denied alliance prospects with the Congress, saying that its political affairs committee will take a call after considering opinion of its leaders and workers from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.
Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was recently convicted in an anti-Sikh riots case by the Delhi High Court, where Phoolka represented the victims.
Sources close to Phoolka indicated that he has decided to put in his papers to devote his time and concentrate fully on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.
As of now, Punjab Vidhan Speaker Rana KP Singh has not accepted Phoolka's resignation as Dakha MLA. Earlier, Phoolka has left the post of the Leader of Opposition to contest cases for 1984 riot victims.