Kejriwal govt forms 22-member committee to take decisions on issues related to Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab Wednesday announced the formation of a 22-member committee, comprising MLAs, two MPs and party leaders, for "independently" taking decisions in connection with state issues.

"The AAP has formed a 22-member core committee. All the decisions related to Punjab be it in connection with fighting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, shortlisting candidates for elections, holding dharnas etc will be taken by this core committee," Sangrur MP and the party's senior leader Bhagwant Mann said.

The committee will be headed by Budhlada MLA Budh Ram.

The committee was formed in the wake of eight dissident MLAs fighting for autonomy for the Punjab unit of the party.

Mann said if any MLA from the rebel group of Sukhpal Khaira intends to become the member of the core committee, he is welcome to join the panel.

The decision of forming the core committee was announced a day after AAP MLAs met the party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi.

Mann said the core committee was formed earlier also but it could not function effectively.

On the issue of resolving differences with Khaira and his group, he said the party has always opened doors for them to resolve issues.

"This core committee can form a sub-committee to reach out to Khaira group to make peace with them," the Sangrur MP said while addressing reporters here.

At the same time, Mann attacked Khaira for criticising the party's Delhi leadership and said: "It is Khaira's nature to challenge the Delhi leadership."

The Punjab unit of the AAP has been in turmoil following the removal of Khaira from the post of Leader of Opposition.

AAP's dissident MLAs had declared the party's Punjab unit "autonomous" and "dissolved" its current organisational structure during volunteers convention in Bathinda on August 2.

Mann further announced to hold a day-long hunger strike in front of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's house here on October 7, pressing the Congress-led government to take action against former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with sacrilege incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)