Swaraj Abhiyan Reaches Out to Suspended AAP MPs, Leaders in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: Swaraj Abhiyan, a group formed by ousted AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, today asked suspended AAP MPs and other expelled leaders in Punjab to lead the state towards an "alternative politics".
A meeting of Punjab state team of 'Swaraj Lehar', part of the Swaraj Abhiyan, was held here.
"The meeting took stock of latest political developments in the state and felt that the stage is ripe for the emergence of alternative politics," Yadav said after the meeting.
AAP had last month suspended two of its MPs from Punjab-Dharamvira Gandhi, who had supported expelled leader Yogendra Yadav, and Harinder Singh Khalsa -- for "anti-party activities".
He said that Punjab stands at "crossroads today as the people are disgusted with the corrupt and lawless Badal regime and do not want to go back to the previous Congress regime.
"AAP came into the power in the national capital with the promise of alternative politics but has, sadly, proved to be no different."
"But, it has fallen prey to the same disease of high command culture, Delhi Durbar, success-at-all-cost and willingness to compromise with corruption-disease that it was meant to cure. It has let down the hopes of lakhs of Punjabis," he said.
Yadav also said that Swaraj Abhiyan salutes Dharmvira Gandhi, Khalsa and expelled leader Daljit Singh "for their courage of conviction".
"Their willingness to stand for truth and pay the price has opened a new opportunity for alternative politics. Punjab looks up to them to lead the state towards a truly alternative politics. Swaraj Lehar expresses its resolve to follow them on this path," he said.
Further hitting out at AAP, Yadav said, "people have came to the conclusion that AAP leadership, specially its Delhi leadership is cohert with some of the so-called leaders of Punjab and have really let down the people of Punjab in their hopes.
"And therefore, it was widely felt that there is a need for genuine political alternative in Punjab, that 'Swaraj Abhiyan' must work with other such forces who may be interested in providing a genuine alternative politics in Punjab."