Chitleen K Sethi

In damage-control mode, AAP asks Delhi observers to leave Punjab

The central observers, all from the Delhi team of the AAP, were appointed in July 2015 and were responsible for building the party’s organisation in each parliamentary constituency. They were the “eyes and ears” of Pathak in Punjab and had been given almost unbridled control over local leaders, volunteers and workers. A top leader of the party said they have been asked to report back to Delhi with immediate effect.

Chhotepur supporters vow to break away from ‘Delhi-led’ AAP

Sidhu floats party, breakaway AAP group likely to join hands

AAP splits in Punjab, Chhotepur may bat for Navjot Sidhu

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faction supporting sacked Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur broke away on Friday, vowing to work against the Delhi-led AAP and ending any possibility of the estranged leader’s return.

Sidhu floats new party in Punjab, breakaway AAP group likely to join hands

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and former SAD legislator Pargat Singh have formed the Awaaz-e-Punjab, a political outfit ahead of the state elections next year.

Will not return to party that has people who ‘conspired’ against me: Chhotepur

Former Punjab convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sucha Singh Chhotepur said he will not go back to the party till those who “conspired” against him are still there in it.

AAP takes U-turn in Punjab, wants to reconcile with sacked chief Chhotepur

After claiming the moral high ground on “zero tolerance to corruption” and sacking Sucha Singh Chhotepur as its Punjab convener unceremoniously on Friday following a cash sting, the AAP softened its stand on Tuesday.

Chhotepur’s organisation-building pays off as AAP bit more than it could chew

When it sacked him as Punjab convener, AAP had no idea of his hold on the party

AAP sacks Chhotepur as Punjab chief after he fires at Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday evening removed its Punjab chief, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, following allegations of corruption. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s political affairs committee (PAC), its highest decision-making body.

Exit Chhotepur, enter more trouble for AAP: ‘Outsider’ faultline exposed

HT ANALYSIS || Chhotepur controversy exposes Punjab vs outsider debate faultline

Punjab AAP leaders want state chief Chhotepur sacked; decision today

Leaders from state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have urged national convener Arvind Kejriwal to expel state unit chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur from the party, it is learnt, reacting to a reported video sting operation that shows him allegedly accepting a cash packet from a man.

Cash sting: AAP to take action against Punjab chief Chhotepur

Party boss Kejriwal ‘very upset’, Sisodia ‘confronted Chhotepur on video, recorded after complaints’

‘Have reservations on second candidate list too, waiting to meet Kejriwal’

Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who has been voicing displeasure over choice of candidates, finds himself at the receiving end of a sting operation.

Cash-packet video stings AAP Punjab chief Chhotepur

AAP’s Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who recently voiced his displeasure over the distribution of tickets by the party’s central leadership, has found himself at the receiving end of a sting operation.

Nowhere Man: Sidhu left hanging after Kejriwal’s blunt message

Former Indian cricket opener Navjot Singh Sidhu’s ambitious move to start a second political innings with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit a roadblock.

Alphons’ appointment as Chandigarh administrator on hold as Punjab objects

Alphons’ appointment as Chandigarh administrator on hold as Punjab objects

The Centre’s move to appoint retired bureaucrat and BJP leader KJ Alphons as Chandigarh administrator was put on hold on Wednesday after objection from the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab.

Alphons picked as Chandigarh administrator, then plan dropped

KJ Alphons, 63, a retired bureaucrat from Kerala and a BJP executive committee member, is tipped to be the administrator of the Union Territory (UT), reversing a 32-year-old practice of the Punjab governor holding the additional charge of the UT.

AAP’s 2nd list for Punjab assembly polls is ready, but first still irks some

Even as fighting continues in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over some names on the first list of candidates for the 2017 assembly polls, a second list is coming out by the weekend.

When kin sin: Murder of trust, death of family

The income-and-status gap within close relations is leading to crimes born out of jealousy and greed. Of the seven kidnapping cases in the past 6 months in Punjab, five had relatives, friends, or neighbours involved. Chitleen K Sethi examines what police call a starting trend shaking our faith in family.

Nearly 2,500 fail dope test for Punjab constable job

1.36% found using addictive drugs at police recruitment

POLICE RECRUITMENT 1,524 of the 1.12 lakh youths who underwent the test caught on wrong foot; 900 others found using performance-enhancing drugs

I differ with choices, but will not do anything to harm AAP: Chhotepur

Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, one of the most senior leaders of the party in the state, absented himself when it announced the first list candidates for the 2017 assembly elections on Thursday. On Wednesday, he walked out of a meeting with the party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, Sanjay Singh, following differences over the ticket distribution. Talking to assistant editor Chitleen K Sethi on Friday, Chhotepur said he was disappointed with the choice of candidates but his difference of opinion could not be seen as dissent.

First to release a list of Punjab candidates, AAP steals a march over opponents

Keeping its promise of being the first to announce candidates for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections due early next year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released the first list of 19 for the 117-member assembly.

Punjab polls: AAP ticket-hopefuls raise banner of revolt

Even before the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announces its first list of 20 candidates for the assembly polls, bush fire of protests against the ‘finalised’ candidates have erupted at many places in the state.

Punjab’s higher education dept puts nod ahead of norms for pvt varsity

Continuing to show their “desperation” to create yet another private university in the state, Punjab’s higher education department has recommended the creation of CT University in Ludhiana without waiting for it to comply with the conditions laid down in the rulebook.

Defamation case: Kejriwal court appearance set to become a solidarity show

A day after Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal asked his party-men to gear up for an “ugly battle” with the powers that be through a video message, his maiden appearance in a defamation case in Amritsar court on Friday has been turned into a major political event.

3.7% fail dope test in Punjab police recruitment; 1.5% using addictive drugs

On the first day, of the 7,800 candidates tested across the state, 294 tested positive for drugs. That is 3.7%, but includes those who used non-addictive, performance-enhancing drugs. Those found using addictive drugs were 1.5% of all tested

Punjab vigilance wants FIR: Hiring of 1,150 teachers under cloud

The UT administration’s recruitment of 1,150 government school teachers in January–February 2015 was compromised with question papers having been leaked to select candidates, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has found.

Mann’s journey from comedy king to controversy’s favourite child

The stand-up comedian turned politician still remains the most popular face of AAP in Punjab, where elections are due in less than a year. Even as the AAP aims win the state, Mann’s acts might have handed over ammo in Opposition’s hands.