File Photo: Lok Sabha MP from Patiala Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.
Continuing the purge of dissidents in the party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today sacked its parliamentary party leader Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, who had spoken against the expulsion of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from the National Executive and replaced him with comedian-turned politician Bhagwant Mann.
The decision came hours after expulsion of Mr Bhushan, Mr Yadav, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha from the party late last night.
Mr Gandhi, who had trounced Preneet Kaur in Patiala constituency in the Lok Sabha polls last year, had been highly critical of the party leadership, particularly the way Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav had been removed from party's top echelons. He had even walked out from the AAP's National Council meeting on March 28 in protest and had sent his message to 'Swaraj Samvad' Convention on April 14, organised by the rebel camp.
Defending the party's move of removing Dr Gandhi, AAP leader Ashutosh said that the decision was taken by party's top decision-making body and it should be respected.
Attacking Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav, Mr Mann said that the two leaders had been sacked for carrying out anti-party activities.
"I have raised maximum questions, participated in maximum debates and raised concerns about the various bills in the House. If the party wants to give me more responsibilities, then I am ready to shoulder them," Mr Mann said.
Mr Mann, an MP from Sangrur in Punjab, had openly came in out in support of Mr Kejriwal when the party was experiencing a bitter war between the two camps.