AAP MLA suspended for 'anti-party activities' after questions raised on Punjab govt education reform claims

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday suspended its Maur MLA Sukhveer Maiser Khana for alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities, hours after he publicly criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led government over the state of government schools.

In a Facebook live lasting over 14 minutes, the first-time MLA alleged that the government’s “education kranti” was superficial and said several teaching posts were vacant at the School of Eminence in his Bathinda constituency.

“I had apprised AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the lack of teachers affecting students’ prospects. No one showed interest in addressing the issue,” he said.

Maiser Khana, who said his children study in a government school, claimed they were facing difficulties because of the shortage of teachers. He also alleged that he was being harassed by the party leadership and said he would not “beg” for an assembly ticket in the forthcoming elections.

The MLA further alleged that political conspiracies were being hatched to implicate him in false cases and claimed he faced a personal security threat.

AAP state general secretary announced his suspension from the party’s primary membership, citing indiscipline and anti-party activities.

The party and state government did not respond to his allegations. The development coincided with AAP leader Navdeep Singh Jeeda opening his political office in Maur.