In a major decision, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday removed Sukhpal Singh Khaira as Leader of Opposition (LoP) and appointed a first-time Dalit legislator, Harpal Singh Cheema as the new LoP.

The decision comes days after Khaira accused state co-president Dr Balbir Singh of conspiring and backstabbing against him in order get him removed as LoP. Before this, 16 AAP leaders, mostly belonging to the faction led by Khaira, resigning en masse in protest against the ‘dictatorial attitude’ of AAP Punjab’s co-president Dr Balbir Singh who is running the state unit.

Reacting to his removal through a tweet, Khaira said he has discharged is duty as LoP with uttermost sincerity, dedication and fearlessness towards Punjab and Punjabis. “If speaking the truth and espousing the cause of Punjab, Punjabis cost me LoP (post), I am prepared let go 100 such positions. Those at the helm have done what Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party wanted,” Khaira said in the tweet.

Khaira’s removal was announced by AAP leader and party’s Punjab in-charge, Manish Sisodia in a tweet. “AAP has decided to change its leader of opposition in Punjab. Har Pal Singh Cheema, MLA Dirba constituency shall be leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly,” he said in the tweet.

On his part, the new LoP, Cheema, thanked party chief Arvind Kejriwal for showing faith in him. Justifying his appointment, Cheema said since Punjab’s population consists 34 per cent Dalits, AAP has given the community the representation through his appointment. When questioned on the verbal war between Khaira and state co-president Dr Singh, Cheema said he will try to take everyone along.

The rival parties, however, took a dig at AAP high command over Khaira’ removal. “Khaira’s removal is very unfortunate. Party didn’t like his style of working. The decision was apparently taken by AAP leadership without consulting the state unit and AAP legislators,” said Simranjit Singh Bains, leader Lok Insaaf Party which was an ally of the AAP in Punjab.

Former Punjab BJP president Manoranjan Kalia said selection and not election is the cardinal principal upon which the AAP is run. “In a democracy, it is the elected representatives who elect themselves their leader but in AAP the Leader of Opposition stands selected by the high command,” he said adding that Khaira’s removal shows there is no internal democracy in the AAP.

Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka said the AAP has played Dalit card before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The co-president AAP Punjab, Balbir Singh however said party legislators were consulted over Khaira’s removal and Cheema’s appointment.