Slamming party chief Arvind Kejriwal for his “dictatorial attitude”, Sukhpal Singh Khaira resigned from the primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday. His resignation comes days after another AAP leader, HS Phoolka, quit the party citing similar reasons.

Both Phoolka and Khaira were AAP leaders in Punjab.

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Khaira, an MLA from Bholath and former Leader of Opposition in Punjab legislative assembly, wrote to Kejriwal alleging that the “party has totally deviated from the ideology and principles on which it was formed post Anna Hazare movement”.

In his letter, he accused Kejriwal of failing to understand the “psyche of Punjabi’s due to your overconfidence” and never taking note of AAP volunteers on the ground.

Khaira’s resignation comes two months after he was suspended for allegedly indulging in “anti-party” activities.

Reports say that Khaira will launch a new political party called Punjab Democratic Alliance on 8 January in Chandigarh.

He had in December last year, announced the formation of his party with Lok Insaaf Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, suspended AAP MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi and other “like-minded parties” in the state to take on both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress.

Besides Khaira, the AAP had also suspended Kanwar Sandhu from the party on charges that the two leaders continuously attacked the central and state party leadership.

Reports say eight rebel legislators are with Khaira and seek autonomy for the state unit. Talks to iron out differences between the AAP Punjab and rebels have so far been a failure.

Khaira was removed from his post of Leader of Opposition in July 2018. Phoolka had on 3 January tweeted that he has resigned from the party.

I have resigned from AAP & handed over resignation to Kejriwal ji today. Though he asked me not to resign but I insisted.
Will be briefing media tomorrow at 4pm at Press Club, Raisina Rd, New Delhi to explain the Reason of leaving AAP & my further plans.

— H S Phoolka (@hsphoolka) January 3, 2019

His decision came amid speculations that AAP was planning to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Congress.