AAP suffers a blow after infighting in Punjab

AAP suffers a blow after infighting in Punjab

After gaining substantial ground in Punjab politics during the past few months, the Aam Admi Party has suffered a blow as senior party leaders have been accusing each other of corruption in ticket distribution.

Assembly elections are expected in Punjab in early 2017 and AAP has announced the names of 32 candidates in two separate lists. According to sources, 25 of 32 candidates delared so far have been facing opposition within the party. The total number of assembly constituencies in Punjab is 117.

AAP leaders from Punjab and other states have accused Punjab Convener of Aam Admi Party, Succha Singh Chottepur of accepting a cash amount of Rs 2 lakh to grant candidature, in a reported video sting operation.

The troubles of the AAP in Punjab have been multiplied with the removal of AAP's Punjab Convener Succha Singh Chottepur as the clashes between pro- and anti-Kejriwal supporters have been reported from different places in Punjab and his counter-attack on Delhi coterie has brought to the fore the tussle for power within the party.

This is not the first time that the allegations have been raised by the party leaders against their colleagues. Lakhwinder Kaur, Joint Secretary of women wing of the party has also accused senior AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak, of asking for Rs 50 lakh as a donation to party fund. She had sought a ticket from Phillaur.(more)