Abhorrence has given way to preference in Punjab politics. Facing allegations of corruption, Sucha Singh Chhotepur has emerged as the protagonist of Punjab politics with major political parties opening doors for the convener recently expelled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Notwithstanding, the weathered politician has decided to test waters by himself.
Even as the main opposition party, the Congress, has thrown open its doors for the ‘ousted’ AAP leader, Chhotepur has decided to mobilize his supporters by starting ‘Punjab Yatra’ this week.
Chhotepur will visit all districts to meet the party workers and would decide upon his next course of action only after taking their opinion.
The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting attended by Chhotepur and six zonal coordinators of AAP on Monday at former’s residence.
“From this week, Chhotepur would launch his Punjab Yatra by paying obeisance at the Golden Temple. He would then meet workers in all districts and take their opinion, following which he would decide on his next plans,” Chhotepur’s close aide told The Pioneer.
During the meeting AAP’s zonal coordinators from Sri Anandpur Sahib Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, Gurdaspur’s Amandeep Singh, Amritsar’s Gurinder Singh Bajwa, Jalandhar’s Harjinder Singh Cheema, Bathinda’s Narinderpal Bhagta, and Khadur Sahib’s Iqbal Singh Bhaguwal extended their support to Chhotepur.
Sources informed that AAP leaders have also given a day’s ultimatum to the party high command to reinstate Chhotepur as the state convener, while demanding to ask the Delhi leadership to leave the state.
“It has been decided that AAP’s Delhi leaders would be shown black flags wherever they would go in Punjab as we want them to go out of the state and leave Punjab campaign to the local leaders,” sources informed.
Daggers have been drawn between AAP cadres in Punjab with the party splitting vertically as an aftermath of Chhotepur’s removal. Its senior party leaders have been accusing each other of corruption in ticket distribution.
Clashes between pro- and anti-Kejriwal supporters, also followers of Chhotepur, have been reported from different places in Punjab.
KHAIRA ClARIFIES, SAYS NOT SUPPORTING CHHOTEPUR
Clarifying that he never threw his weight behind ousted Punjab convener of the AAP Sucha Singh Chhotepur, party’s spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira on Monday said that his remarks were “misinterpreted” by media.
“My verbal comments were misconstrued and misinterpreted in respect to Chhotepur’s removal as convenor AAP. I stand by the words unfortunate and sad used to explain the removal of Chhotepur, but that did not mean that I was throwing my weight behind him politically,” he said.
Khaira said: “I reiterate that I stand by the collective decision of the party pertaining to Chhotepur, but yes, I did term Chhotepur episode as unfortunate as I felt so from my heart.”
“I also stand by my logic that if the sting carried out against Chhotepur is the handy work of any of our party leaders, it is highly condemnable and those responsible for the sting must be taken to task. I also stand by my comments in regards to the role of Delhi observers. Therefore, I request that my views be put in the right perspective,” Khaira clarified.
TWO-MEMBER PANEl YET TO START PROBE
The two-member panel, set up to probe into ‘bribe’ allegations against its ousted leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur, is yet to start its probe as the three-day deadline come to an end on Monday.
The two-member committee, comprising AAP’s Delhi MlA Jarnail Singh and senior leader Jasbir Singh Bir, was formed by party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to look into the allegations of money and corruption against Chhotepur.
Panel member Jasbir Singh Bir said that the other member of the committee and party’s Punjab affairs’ co in-charge Jarnail Singh was hospitalized due high blood sugar, due to which probe could not be started.
Also the head of party’s state unit’s Administrative and Grievances Cell, Bir said that journalist-turned-politician Jarnail Singh’s health was improving but he was still in hospital in Delhi.
At the same time, he said that the panel would look into all aspects of allegations against Chhotepur. “Committee will watch the sting video and start its probe as soon as Jarnail Singh returns,” he said.