Khaira, who had been suspended from the AAP last year, accused Arvind Kejriwal of superseding the constitution of the party to remain convenor.
New Delhi: Days after senior advocate and former Punjab MLA H.S. Phoolka quit the Aam Aadmi Party, rebel leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira has followed him out, citing Delhi chief minister and party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s “dictatorial attitude”.
Khaira quit the primary membership of the party Sunday, but plans to continue as a legislator in the Punjab assembly.
Khaira, who was suspended from the AAP in November last year for “anti-party activities”, hit out at Kejriwal for what he said was not holding his “subedars” accountable for the defeat in Punjab assembly elections, and his “hypocritical” approach.
“I am saddened to state that your dictatorial attitude has shattered the dreams of Indians and the Punjabis for a clean alternative to the decayed and rotten system,” Khaira wrote in a letter addressed to Kejriwal.
‘AAP is no different’
Asserting that the “hierarchy in AAP” was similar to every other political party in India, Khaira also flagged issues like “favouritism and nepotism” in the party.
“You have blatantly gone back on the most important promise of swaraj, by centralising all powers with yourself,” Khaira wrote in the letter.
“You have also thrown to winds the constitution of the party merely to remain convenor and continue your grip on the party.”
Khaira also did not refrain from attacking Kejriwal for AAP’s possible alliance with the Congress.
“Your hobnobbing and flirting with the Congress is yet another example of sheer political opportunism, that has left the people of India bewildered,” he wrote.
Also read: Khattar’s own party worker called him ‘CM for Punjabis’, not AAP leaders who were arrested
New political party
Khaira is set to launch a new political party, the Punjab Democratic Alliance, on 8 January in Chandigarh.
“He has wanted to form a new political party for some time now,” an AAP source told ThePrint.
Khaira also approached Phoolka repeatedly to join his nascent party. However, Phoolka, who quit the AAP on 3 January, has said he will not be contesting any elections in 2019.
Also read: Senior Punjab leader HS Phoolka quits Aam Aadmi Party