Former Punjab AAP leader floats regional party

CHANDIGARH: Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sukhpal Khaira has floated a new regional political outfit, the Punjabi Ekta Party, vowing to take on the “corrupt duo of Badal and Amarinder”. He had resigned from AAP a couple of days before announcing his party, citing “dictatorial” attitude of party convenor and chief Arvind Kejriwal. In an hour-long speech, Khaira lashed out at the Badal family and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for their failure to provide effective administration in the state. He said the last 21 months of the Congress government have been an extension of the misrule that the state saw under the SAD-BJP government led by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Promising the “Singapore Model” to tackle corruption, Khaira said his party intends to crack down on corruption and will also consider imposing death penalty on those convicted of corruption.