Bhagwant Mann wanted to float party after hint that Sidhu would join AAP'
Chandigarh: Indian comedian and MP from Sangrur constituency in Punjab Bhagwant Mann wanted to quit AAP and start his own party after there were indications that Navjot Singh Sidhu would join the party, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who was removed as Punjab convenor, said.
According to reports, Chhotepur said Mann had called him on July 22 and said, "'Chacha saara kuch barbaad ho gaya. Mere paas Sanjay Singh aur Durgesh Pathak aaye aur bataya ki Sidhu join kar raha hai'… He then asked me to meet him immediately in Delhi the next day."
Chhotepur was removed as the Punjab convenor on Friday in connection with a bribery allegation against him. He has termed the allegation a "conspiracy" hatched by his “own friends within the party."
Suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Harinder Singh Khalsa had also called the ousting of Chhotepur as "conspiracy," and alleged it was done to clear the decks for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to become the Punjab Chief Minister after 2017 assembly polls.
"AAP wants to make Kejriwal as CM of Punjab so they are paving way for the same. In Delhi, Kejriwal does not have the power even equal to a Mayor," he added.
Khalsa accused the AAP of minting money by selling tickets at a very high price and said the party was unlikely to win even 25 seats in the forthcoming polls.
Meanwhile, a rebel group of AAP led by Manjit Singh Randhawa on Saturday extended support to Chhotepur and accused Kejriwal of indulging in dictatorial behaviour. Describing Chhotepur as an honest person, he said Kejriwal was not aware about the culture and geographical importance of Punjab.
Randhawa alleged that the AAP led by Kejriwal has now become the political outfit of conspirators and has only ulterior motive to grab power in Punjab at any cost.
He said 'AAP Punjab' will prepare a separate election manifesto for the forthcoming elections and will be announced in the coming days.
The rebel leader said it will be followed by announcing the name of candidates and Chhotepur will be the party's president" in Punjab.
