AAP, Congress plotted to remove Sukhpal Khaira as LoP: Simarjeet Bains

Lok Insaaf Party chief says Khaira’s sacking was a pre-condition by Cong for forging an alliance with AAP in 2019 elections
Chandigarh : Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) chief Simarjeet Singh Bains on Friday alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal had removed leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira as it was a pre-condition by the Congress for forging an alliance with AAP in the Lok Sabha Elections in 2019.
In a tweet, the Ludhiana MLA also asked AAP Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia to clarify about the ‘conspiracy’.
In the tweet posted in the morning, Bains said, “I have learnt from very reliable sources that @ArvindKejriwal removed Khaira as LoP as a pre condition by Congress for forging an alliance with AAP, if this is true he has stabbed the people of pb (Punjab) in back! @msisodia you too must clarify about this conspiracy.”
Later talking to HT, Bains stated that he has learnt that during a meeting with senior Congress leaders in Delhi, in which former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was also present, Kejriwal was instructed to remove Khaira as leader of opposition as a pre condition for forging an alliance in the coming parliamentary polls.
“The meeting was held around 20 days ago,” said Bains.
AAP’s central leadership had on July 27 sacked Khaira and replaced him with Dirba MLA Harpal Singh Cheema, who is a Dalit.
Stunned, says Khaira
Reacting to Bains’ allegation, Khaira said he is stunned after hearing about the “nefarious conspiracy”.
In a tweet, he said, “I’m stunned to hear this nefarious conspiracy if true it exposes the mean character of our so called national leaders who can sacrifice their own party men for cheap political gains, god save this country from such mischievous leaders.”
Cheema dismisses charge
However, Cheema dismissed the charge. Reacting to the LIP chief’s claim, he said that is an outright lie. “There is no talk of any political alliance with the Congress. I know this for sure. Why the LoP got changed is known to everyone?” said the AAP leader. The AAP’s top leaders have repeatedly accused the LIP of conspiring to break the party.