AAP picks Sukhpal Singh Khaira as Oppn leader in Punjab

Calling for a truce with its disgruntled MLAs in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira as the new Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly. A two-time MLA from Bholath, Khaira had quit Congress in 2016 to join AAP ahead of the Assembly elections. However, he was left disgruntled when the party sidelined him and chose to make Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann as the party's State Convener, despite rumblings within the party against Mann.

The miffed leader had even walked out of the meeting held in Delhi where Mann's elevation was announced and proposed to submit his resignation from the post of Chief Whip.

Wary of fuelling anymore resentment against the Delhi leadership, the party approved Khaira, who was in the fray for the post along with former journalist-turned-politician Kanwar Sandhu and Co-Convener Aman Arora. He is also among the two party MLAs in Punjab with past legislative experience.

Senior leader HS Phoolka who had resigned from the post made the announcement following a meeting of the Punjab MLAs with party President Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. AAP MP Bhagwant Mann was also present at the meeting.

Khaira said that issues of debt relief for farmers and labourers and the need to eradicate the drug menace would be raised by the party.

"Our aim is to work in unity and for the welfare of its people and we will do that," said Khaira, adding that the though the party will build campaign ahead of civil body elections, the main focus would be 2019 elections.