Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday demanded immediate resignation of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlA and the leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sukhpal Khaira after the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to stay proceedings against him in a 2015 drug case.
“Khaira does not have any locus standi to continue as the leader of Opposition with the High Court refusing his plea to stay proceedings summoning him as an accused in an international drug racket case and he should now tender his resignation immediately,” said SAD MPs Naresh Gujral and Prem Singh Chandumajra.
They said that with today’s developments in the High Court, it was clear that Khaira was an accused in a drug racket with Pakistani links. “Instead of giving him any relief despite repeated and persistent pleas by his council, the High Court has asked him to appear in the Fazilka court as summoned on November 30,” they added.
SAD leaders said that propriety demanded that Khaira resign as leader of Opposition immediately so that the august chair was not besmirched.
“Since this is not likely as Khaira had already thrown all moral and ethical norms to the wind, it is on AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to fire him from the post and also expel him from the party without any further delay. If Kejriwal does not take swift action against Khaira, it will make it clear to Punjabis that he himself is compromised and is hand in glove with Khaira,” they said.
Akali leaders said that this was a testing time for AAP legislators. “You (AAP MlAs) have been repeatedly misused by Delhi AAP team. Now is the time for you to stand up for Punjab and its youth and condemn any move to support a leader who stands accused of being the kingpin of an international drug racket in which the accused have been given stringent punishment of 20 years jail term,” the MPs said.
SAD MPs also rubbished AAP attempts to mislead the people by projecting the mere stay of non-bailable warrant against him as a relief. “Nothing has changed on the ground. Khaira still stands as an accused in the case.