The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decision to remove Sukhpal Singh Khaira as Leader of Opposition (LoP) and appointment of a first-time Dalit legislator, Harpal Singh Cheema as the new LoP is likely to further trigger the infighting in the party ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Khaira’s removal is being seen as an attempt by AAP high command to take full control of the state unit as the former Congressman (Khaira) had on many occasions taken view against the top AAP leadership including Arvind Kejriwal.

Known for his knack to stay in news, Khaira was seen acting in his own during his one-year tenure as LoP. The two-time member of legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bholath, Khaira was appointed to the post following the resignation of first choice LoP, HS Phoolka, from the post.

In a Press statement issued from party headquarter, AAP said a Dalit face from the state has been given responsibility. The national convener of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal has written a letter to the speaker of Punjab Assembly requesting him to appoint Harpal Cheema as LoP, it said.

Though AAP projected Khaira’s removal as a strategy in view of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, but apparently the decision has more than a reason including Khaira’s refusal to bow to the orders of the party high command.

He is also not considered a team player and know for his love to hog the limelight than take everyone along as a leader. Even more, Khaira had taken stand against AAP chief Kejriwal after he tendered an unconditional apology to Shiromani Akali Dal leader, Bikram Singh Majithia, in a drug case,

This apparently had caused unease in the party high command and several party leaders in the state, including party’s member of Parliament, Bhagwant Mann, were also not happy with Khaira’s style of functioning.

In the latest episode, Khaira went public through a video on Facebook alleging that the state co-president Dr Balbir Singh told a group of party workers that he took cash from party workers recently.

Khaira said Dr Singh is doing such things as a part of the conspiracy to poison the minds of AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, who is in-charge of party affairs in Punjab, to have him removed from the post of leader of the Opposition in the state
assembly.

Khaira had led the AAP charge against then Cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh over allegations of impropriety in sand mining auctions and the same led to latter’s resignation. He was earlier the of party’s chief whip.