Kejriwal, Khaira avoid face-off in Barnala

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur/barnala, August 19

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday visited Sangrur and Barnala districts and interacted with party leaders. Former Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira and Kejriwal attended the bhog of AAP MLA Kulwant Singh’s father at Pandori village in Barnala. They, however, did not talk to each other even once.

Kejriwal along with Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, Punjab affairs incharge Manish Sisodia, LoP Harpal Singh Cheema and other leaders sat near the stage, while Khaira along with party MLAs Pirmal Singh Dhaula, Jagdev Singh Kamalu, Nazar Singh Manshahia and Jai Singh Rodi sat at a distance.

“Truth is supreme. I have always raised my voice for truth and will keep doing so” said Khaira, while addressing the ceremony in an apparent reference to his removal from the LoP post and revolt against the party. Khaira, however, surprised all by hugging Mann before his speech.

Kejriwal later reached Sunam around 3 pm and held separate meetings with party MLAs, zone chiefs and volunteers at the residence of MLA Aman Arora. No dissident attended the meeting. They said they were not invited.

Kejriwal said: “There was no formal meeting. I have met leaders and volunteers on their insistence. There are problems in every party. Our party is like a family. I have deputed leaders to persuade the annoyed MLAs.”

“We have made a significant improvement in education, health and other areas in Delhi. If the Punjab government wants our help, Manish Sisodia can offer his services by staying here for a few days,” he said.