Suspended AAP MP Dharamvira Gandhi floats new front

Chandigarh, Aug 23 (PTI) Suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)MP Dharamvira Gandhi today launched a "Punjab-centric" frontwhich may contest the 2017 Assembly polls in the state. Many political outfits, including the Democratic SwarajParty, the Apna Punjab, the Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Party, theSwabhiman Party, along with former AAP leader HS Kingra andseveral academicians and volunteers, joined hands with Gandhi. The suspended AAP MP from Patiala said the name of thefront will be announced in 10-15 days. "There is a need for a regional outfit in Punjab which canguard its interests on the lines of what the AIADMK, TMC, BJDdo in their respective states," Gandhi told the media. Asked if the front will contest the polls, he said thatwill depend on its strength in a particular Assemblyconstituency. Gandhi hit out at the other political parties, includingthe Congress and the BJP, for "failing to protect theinterests of Punjab" over the years. He acknowledged that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was theonly regional party in the state but alleged that they toohave "reneged on the interest and the future of Punjab". Gandhi also lashed out at the AAP for "ignoring the realvolunteers while distributing poll tickets". Ruling out his rapprochement with the party, he allegedthat there was "no democracy" and it had become a "one manparty", hinting at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Leaders from Punjab are being sidelined as ‘subedars’from Delhi are running the show. Leaders like Sucha SinghChhotepur and Kanwar Sandhu are being humiliated. Ahigh-command culture is prevailing in the party now," heclaimed and hit out at Kejriwal saying, "If my wish prevails,I will throw him out of it." Gandhi said he had assessed the political situation in thestate around three months back and had there been an electionthen, the AAP could have formed the government in Punjab as itwas "far ahead" of the Congress and the SAD-BJP combine. Asked if he will resign from the AAP, he answered inthe negative, saying he had neither floated a "politicalparty" nor joined any other. "They can throw me out but I willnot resign as MP," he said. Gandhi said he had told the AAP leadership to eitherwithdraw his suspension or expel him from the party. "But,they are not taking any decision. Maybe they are scared oflosing votes," he added. Asked if his front would approach Navjot Singh Sidhu, thecricketer-turned-politician who recently severed ties with theBJP, he said, "If he contacts us, we will think over it." Gandhi and another MP Harinder Singh Khalsa weresuspended from the primary membership of the AAP for"indiscipline and anti-party activities" last year. PTI CHSAAP RC RGRC