The legislative wing of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab appears to be heading for a vertical split as talks between rebel group of eight MLAs, led by Sukhpal Khaira with the party high command led by state in-charge and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, ended in a stalemate, The Tribune has reported.

AAP has announced its decision to remove Sukhpal Singh Khaira as Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and replace him with Dirba MLA Harpal Singh Cheema last Thursday (26 July). The Khaira led group of rebel MLA have been protesting against the decision calling it undemocratic and arbitrary.

The party’s national leadership has now refused to review its decision to remove Khaira as Leader of Opposition.

Cheema, 43, is reportedly close to high profile AAP MP from Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann, and hails from the Scheduled Caste community. The decision to anoint Cheema is seen by observers as an attempt by AAP leadership to break the stranglehold of dominant Jat Sikh community and send a signal to Dalit community who constitute over 30 per cent of Punjab’s population and holds the key to the electoral fortunes of several political formations.

The rebel MLA’s however reject the Dalit card argument put forward by the national leadership for its decision.

The Indian Express quoted a rebel MLA Nazar Singh Mansahia questioning the party leadership, saying “We already have a Dalit deputy leader of the party. We also have a Dalit as the chief whip. The post of state president is vacant. Why not appoint Cheema to that post?”

Khaira himself has earlier replaced HS Phoolka as the Leader of Opposition. Phoolka decided to step down claiming that he needed more time to focus on Sikh riot cases and nurture his constituency.

AAP has 22 MLAs in the Punjab assembly.

Harpal Cheema

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