Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi quits AAP after Bhagwant Mann made party's Punjab chief

Chandigarh: In more trouble for Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its former Punjab unit convenor Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi announced his decision to quit the party on Wednesday.

Announcing his decision, Ghuggi said that Arvind Kejriwal-led party has deviated from its principles.

"...I'm resigning from the primary membership with a heavy heart. For Punjab, Punjabiyat whatever needs to be done, I will do that, but this party has deviated from its principles and it has become difficult for me to continue with this party," Ghuggi told reporters.

The comedian-turned-politician said that he had been removed as AAP's Punjab convenor in an "unceremonious" way.

Ghuggi said that he was not against the selection of Bhagwant Mann as the Punjab convenor but against the manner in which it was done.

Ghuggi said that he wanted to work as the star campaigner of the party during the Punjab Assembly elections, but he was made the convener.

"I appealed to Sanjay Singh and other party leaders multiple times that we should request Sucha Singh Chhotepur to comeback to the party but my voice was not heard. I asked them to allow me to campaign for the party rather than looking after the day to day organisational affairs, '' Ghuggi said.

However, he added that he has nothing against Bhagwant Mann or any other party leader.

AAP's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had sometimes back replaced Ghuggi as Punjab state in-charge with Sangur MP Bhagwant Mann.

Ghuggi had contested February-March Assembly election in Punjab from Batala seat but stood third in the contest. 

The seat was bagged by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) contestant Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal.

Ghuggi had earlier questioned Kejriwal's silence over on the corruption charges levelled on him by now sacked minister Kapil Sharma.

Ghuggi said that since the allegations against Arvind Kejriwal are serious and have been levelled by a former cabinet minister in the Delhi government, the party workers expect a statement from the AAP chief.

Gurpreet Ghuggi said that while he has complete faith in Arvind Kejriwal but given the seriousness of the allegations, the Delhi chief minister must explain his position to party workers.

Kejriwal's decision to appoint Mann as Punjab unit chief didn't go down well with AAP leaders. 

Party's chief whip in the Punjab Assembly, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, quit his post in protest the appointment of Mann as AAP's Punjab unit chief.