punjab

Updated: Sep 30, 2015 13:21 IST

Ahead of a meeting convened by volunteers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which they have asked the party’s two suspended members of Parliament, Harinder Singh Khalsa and Dharamvira Gandhi, to attend on October 4 here, the AAP suspended five of its workers, including a member of its Punjab disciplinary committee.

The suspended party members include advocate Pranabh Roy, who is also the member of Punjab disciplinary committee, Pararmjeet Singh, Hasan Soni, Kuldeep Johal and Yogesh Sharma from Jalandhar North assembly segment.

Confirming the development, party’s zonal observer (Jalandhar) from New Delhi, Rajiv Chaudhary said the suspended workers were involved in anti-party activities and were creating indiscipline due to which they have been suspended from the party.

Chaudhary added that a warning was also issued to them, but they ignored and the party took the decision for their suspension.

Sources in the party said around 100 volunteers have convened a meeting at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall on October 4, for which they have also invited the two suspended MPs, Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi and Fatehgarh Sahib MP Harinder Singh Khalsa.

The decision for the meeting was taken after six district conveners in Himachal Pradesh were suspended and the volunteers called for chalking out a strategy in future.

Sources said the decision of suspension was taken to diffuse the effect of the meeting convened by volunteers on October 4.

Furious over the suspension, Roy said it is an insult of volunteers and their hard work as they worked restlessly to make the party’s foundation strong at the grassroots level in Punjab.

“The decision of suspension was reportedly taken at Delhi and it is really surprising that even state members have information about the decision”, he added.

“We are the backbone of the party and if the party would behave in such a manner then who would want to join the party”, Roy said.

Roy said that they have made arrangements for the meeting on October 4 and it would be held even after the party’s decision of suspension.

Roy said four other members were suspended eight months ago and it is really surprising that the party named them now.

Paramjeet Singh said some members from Delhi do not know about the political environment of Punjab and he has talked with state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur who, surprisingly, was unaware about the decision of the party.

He said Delhi party members are inviting SAD workers into the party and even offering party positions, but they are ignoring their own conveners, which is really painful for them.

Chhotepur said he was unaware about the party’s decision, and leaders in Delhi cannot take such a decision to suspend someone.