Bhagwant Mann resigns as AAP's Punjab chief

Chandigarh, Mar 16 Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann resigned as AAP's Punjab chief today, a day after party convener Arvind Kejriwal apologized to a SAD leader for blaming him for being associated with the drug trade.

The Delhi chief minister's apology drew flak from his party's leaders and MLAs in Punjab, who said they were "staggered" by the move and "baffled" as Kejriwal had not kept them in the "circle".

Mann declared his resignation on Twitter.

"..I m leaving as a leader of AAP Punjab...but my battle against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will proceed as an "Aam Aadmi" of Punjab (sic)," Mann said in a tweet.

Kejriwal had yesterday apologized for leveling charges of involvement in drugs trade against SAD leader previous Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia, saying he had learnt that his allegations were unwarranted.

The chief minister in his apology letter had stated, "In the current past I made certain statements and allegations against you (Majithia) with respect to your asserted contribution in the medication exchange. These announcements turned into a political issue."

"Presently I've learnt that the affirmations are unwarranted. Henceforth there ought to be no legislative issues on such issues. I therefore pull back every one of my statements and allegations made against you and apologize for the same," he said.

Leader of Opposition in Punjab Sukhpal Singh Khaira said that he was "dazed" by the apology by Kejriwal.

"We're horrified n paralyzed by the statement of regret of @ArvindKejriwal offered today,we don't falter to concede that we haven't been counseled on this accommodating surrender by a pioneer of his stature," he said on Twitter.

In another tweet, Khaira stated, "We guarantee to proceed with our tirade on the consuming issue of medications wrecking the young of Punjab".

"I fail to understand the timing of Kejriwal's expression of remorse when STF of PB has expressed to the High Court today that there's substantial evidence to continue against Bikram Majitha on the issue of medications khaira (sic)," he had tweeted yesterday.

The AAP's Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu also responded sharply to the apology, tweeting , "Arvind kejriwal' conciliatory sentiment to Bikram majithia in the criticism case on drugs is a let down to the general population, particularly the adolescent of Punjab. We in punjab have not been taken into the circle. Our battle for Punjab proceeds."

"Shocked & disappointed 2 know abt the expression of remorse offered by Arvind Kejriwal 2 Majithia. Regardless I trust drugs wud not have taken so much young lives had the past Govt not disparaged tranquilize mafia. Our battle against drugs proceeds with," the party's Punjab unit co-president Aman Arora tweeted.

Lok Insaf Party (LIP) leader Simarjeet Singh Bains was also miffed at the expression of remorse by Kejriwal to Majithia. The LIP is AAP's partner in Punjab.