Following an unexpected drubbing in the Punjab election, the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party has sought a free hand in functioning.
In a meeting of the state unit in Jalandhar on Monday attended by party leaders from Punjab and all candidates who contested the February 4 election, a resolution was passed to seek autonomy in functioning, citing the control by Delhi team’s control over the party’s affairs in Punjab as a key reason for defeat in the election.
The resolution was read out by chief whip of the party, Sukhpal Khaira.
Though Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and leader of opposition HS Phoolka were part of the deliberations, but they left before the resolution was passed which also called for restructuring the Punjab unit of Aam Aadmi Party, The Tribune reported.
The state party convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich said there was a consensus that the decisions about party’s affairs in Punjab should be taken by leaders in Punjab.
“Consensus has emerged that the Punjab unit should take charge rather than the Delhi team,” he said
“We will express our views before the Political Affairs Committee.”
He said now on the Delhi team would not interfere in the functioning of the party in Punjab.
“From now on, the state unit will take decisions regarding the corrective measures. The Delhi team will not intervene in the state’s affairs.”
He also said not announcing a chief ministerial candidate before the election also contributed to party’s poor performance.
AAP could win only 20 seats despite a strong support in the Malwa region.
The party was expected to go neck and neck with the Congress party that ended up with an overwhelming victory, winning 77 seats in a house of 117 seats.
