AAP MP's 'liquor' blemish adds to party woes in Punjab

For a party that won four seats in Parliament from Punjab by hammering the issue of rampant drug abuse, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is grappling with a paradox of sorts after its MP, Bhagwant Mann, was accused of being “hooked to liquor”.

The latest controversy over comic artist-turned-politician arriving at a condolence ceremony under the influence of liquor has dented efforts by the party top brass to keep its house in order. Political outfits have reported the matter to the police seeking action against Mann.

In fact, the incident has fueled dissent within the party even further with at least two of the four party MPs allegedly claiming that Mann use to attend the Lok Sabha in an inebriate state.

The Punjab BJP has latched on to the issue and written to Lok Sabha Speaker. With a little over a year left for Punjab Assembly elections, the AAP that once appeared as a strong formidable alternative to stable political choices in Punjab, now seems to be on shaky wicket.

The leadership of its four MPs, two of them at variance with the party, arguably inspire little confidence, both for the party and the electorate. Its two MPs, Dr Dharamvir Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa, continue to remain suspended.