punjab

Updated: Aug 31, 2015 00:09 IST

Launching a frontal attack on party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, AAP's Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi says he has not breached any discipline or worked against the party. He says Kejriwal and his coterie are working against the party, especially in Punjab, adding that Punjabis want an AAP government in the state, but Kejriwal doesn't want it. He terms Kejriwal as a dictator. Excerpts from the interview:



You finally paid the price for supporting Yogendra Yadav and others.

I am amused as they said that I worked against the party and suspended me. Are working for Swaraj, spreading the real ideology of AAP and uplifting the morale of volunteers anti-party activities? If it's anti-party then I have no hesitation to undertake it as I have joined the ideology of AAP, and not any particular people. When the entire nation had rejected AAP in the general election, Punjab believed in its ideology and returned its four MPs to Parliament. Kejriwal is not supreme; it's the ideology that is supreme. Kejriwal should not forget that he had lost in the Lok Sabha polls, while Punjabis voted for AAP's ideology. By suspending us, they have challenged the dignity, intelligence and pride not only of the chosen MPs but also of the volunteers.



Read: Kejriwal sold AAP’s interest to Akalis, says Harinder Singh Khalsa



You seem miffed with Kejriwal and his aides.

I am very much upset as Kejriwal is working against the interests of Punjabis, who want an AAP government. Kejriwal and his group are working against it. Kejriwal is a dictator and wants to rule Punjab as a colony as the British did. It's not acceptable to me and our volunteers. Punjabis never accept any dictatorship. I have enough evidence to prove my point and will soon reveal it to the media. How will they justify that despite having a lion's share in the party with four MPs, none of the Punjab leaders was included in the PAC or the national executive. It's Kejriwal and company, and not the real AAP for which the Punjabis had voted. Kejriwal is running the party like a dictator.



But you sided with the sacked leaders.

You can sack leaders, but cannot delete the ideology from their brains. All those sacked are real leaders and are working for the original ideology of AAP from which Kejriwal and his group have deviated. Where is the lokpal bill, inner party democracy and transparent decision- making which Kejriwal talked about before the elections? He doesn't tolerate those who differ with him.



The division in AAP has spoilt the chances of party in Punjab.

This is what Kejriwal and his group wants. They don't want an AAP government in Punjab. People from tainted parties like the Congress and SAD are joining the party while the volunteers are being ignored. Money has taken the place of ideology under the leadership of Chhotepur and Sanjay Singh. I have time and again talked about giving autonomy to Punjab leadership, but Kejriwal is promoting those who will spoil the party's prospects.

What is your future course of action?

I am in constant touch with Khalsa and other leaders. I will tour Punjab and tell people that they have suspended me as I had raised voice for Punjabis and volunteers. I will expose Kejriwal and his group in the public and media.

Read more:Kejriwal sold AAP’s interest to Akalis, says Harinder Singh Khalsa