Irate AAP activists refuse to relent
Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 8
A day after the intense protest against AAP co-convener Raghav Chadha on his arrival in Jalandhar, disgruntled workers of the Aam Aadmi Party have decided to oppose the outfit during the elections. The volunteers will meet at the old party office of the AAP at Choti Baradari on Sunday to discuss their future strategy. Irate AAP activists said they would protest against the party and campaign door-to-door.
Who is Dr Shiv Dayal Mali?
- Dr Shiv Dayal Mali is a former senior medical officer. He resigned in March 2016 and joined the AAP in April 2016
- He is currently the party’s vice-president for the SC Wing and also a spokesperon
- He was a ticket aspirant during the 2019 General Elections, but was replaced by Justice Zora Singh
- Dr Mali along with Dr Sanjeev Sharma offered medical help to the agitating farmers on Delhi borders
Ironically, the old party office belongs to former candidate Dr Sanjeev Sharma, from where the party leaders used to address conferences. The same office would now serve as a space for the party’s break-away workers.
The members who opened front against the AAP include former district chief Dr Shiv Dayal Mali, former candidate Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Iqbal Singh Dindsa and Joginder Pal Sharma among others. Both Dr Mali and Dhindsa were present at the stir on Friday.
Over 150 former party workers, volunteers and dissidents created ruckus and came to blows ahead of a press conference of Chadha on Friday.
Earlier, Dr Manish Raizada, former co-convener (US), had alleged that transparency in the party has taken a hit in the recent years.
The allegations have been identical to ignoring veterans to field new candidates.
The AAP recently declared Sheetal Angural as a candidate from Jalandhar (West) segment. Dr Mali, who has been with the AAP for the past six years, was expecting a party ticket from Jalandhar (West).
Dr Mali said, “We have been observing this for the last two years. Giving ticket to a candidate with questionable credentials is too much. Given the autocratic strategy and systematic sidelining of the old guard, we will hold meetings and go door-to-door to raise awareness against the AAP supporters.”
