Khaira, Mann supporters clash at AAP meeting in Sangrur

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, August 30

Supporters of rebel AAP leader Sukhpal Khaira and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann literally came to blows in a local hotel here on Thursday. A police team, led by local DSP Satpal Sharma, prevented the situation from taking an ugly turn by taking Mann supporters out of the venue.

Pirmal Singh Dhaula, AAP MLA from Bhadaur, had called a meeting of party workers of Sangrur district to finalise the date of district convention and assign duties. When Khaira arrived around 11.30 pm, Inderpal, a founder member of the AAP, asked all to follow Kejriwal and bring New Delhi-like development in Punjab. But Khaira supporters who outnumbered his foes, started opposing the speech.

Seeing opposition to Inderpal, his supporters came to his aid and both sides started pushing each other in the presence of Khaira. They also raised slogans against Khaira and Mann.

“We came here to attend the party meeting. But if they do not want to listen the names of Kejriwal and Mann, then Khaira and his supporters should not have called a meeting under the banner of the AAP. Mann is our MP and Kejriwal is our national leader, but Khaira is trying to divide the party,” alleged Inderpal.

The police took all Kejriwal supporters out of the hotel and closed the gate. Later, Khaira supporters raised slogans against Mann.

“The trouble creators were sent by Mann with the aim to disturb our peaceful meeting. But the large gathering of our leaders has again proved that people are supporting our demand for autonomy to Punjab unit. We have finalised September 16 for our convention,” said Khaira.