Amritsar: Punjab MLA Sukhpal Khaira has quit Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday citing deviation of the party from its original ideologies. 

In a letter to party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Khaira said that he is exiting the party as it has "totally deviated" from the ideology and principles on which it was formed in 2012, after the Anna Hazare movement.

Khaira is the second leader from Punjab, where AAP is the principal Opposition, to quit the party after HS Phoolka. 

Khaira's resignation came within three days of Phoolka quitting AAP. 

Anti-Sikh riots lawyer Phoolka resigned from the party on January 3 in spite of Kejriwal asking him not to go. 

The senior AAP leaders said that turning the anti-corruption movement into a political party wasn't a good decision and the biggest reason for him quitting the party was his desire to dedicate time to social work.

However, it is only to AAP which is hit by exits of important leaders ahead of Lok Sabha elections. On Friday, Congress Delhi chief Ajay Maken resigned from his post citing health issues.