Sukhpal Singh Khaira resigns from AAP; MLA from Punjab's Bolath claims party has 'totally deviated' from its ideology

Chandigarh: Rebel Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Punjab Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Sunday resigned from the party’s primary membership, alleging that the party had “totally deviated” from the ideology and principles on which it was formed after the Anna Hazare movement. Khaira, who was suspended from AAP in November last year for indulging in “anti-party” activities, sent his resignation letter to national convener Arvind Kejriwal. [caption id=“attachment_4881421” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira. News18[/caption] The “current political culture of traditional parties of the country stands badly decayed, due to which immense hope was generated by the formation of AAP,” the Bolath MLA said in his resignation letter, copies of which have been released to the media. “…Unfortunately, after joining the party, I realised that the hierarchy of AAP was no different from those of the traditional centralised political parties…,” Khaira said. He had been a vocal critic of AAP’s leadership since he was removed as Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly in July last year. Following his removal, Khaira, along with seven supporters, formed a rebel group that sought autonomy for AAP’s Punjab unit.