Congress Sting Op Targets AAP MLA, Party Dismisses Graft Claims

Congress demanded immediate resignation of AAP Minister Imran Hussain, alleging that he had been involved in bribery.

Screenshot from the video released by the Congress. (Photo: YouTube screengrab)

Congress demanded immediate resignation of Aam Aadmi Party Minister Imran Hussain, alleging that a sting operation has revealed that he sought bribe.

A person on behalf of Hussain allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh bribe for regularising an illegal construction in Ballimaran area of north Delhi. The AAP minister, who represents Ballimaran in the assembly, denied the charge as “baseless”.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken released a sting video, purportedly showing a man seeking money from one Qaseem. Maken claimed the man who asked for the bribe was Hammad, a staffer at Hussain’s office.

The man was also heard saying that they had to “give money” to get an AAP ticket in the assembly polls.

The Congress also released two audio clips purportedly containing telephonic conversations of Qaseem with the minister’s brother and an engineer of the municipal corporation.

In the audio clips, the minister’s brother is heard asking the house owner about samaan and as to when it would be delivered.

I have nothing to do with the sting. The allegations are totally baseless. If Maken can prove the charges, I will quit politics. He should quit politics, if he fails.

<b>Imran Hussain, Delhi Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, and Environment and Forests</b>

Opposition Attacks AAP

Congress leader Ajay Maken (left), Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay. (Photo: The Quint) 

Without losing time, the BJP immediately demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation.

Broadcast of a video-audio sting by a TV channel has exposed his (Hussain’s) corruption.&nbsp;

<b>Satish Upadhyay, Delhi BJP President </b>

The Kejriwal government has no “moral right” to stay in power as one after another of his ministers is found to be “involved” in “corruption and fraud”, the BJP leader said.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, also demanded that Kejriwal “dismiss” Hussain. He said,

The Chief Minister should immediately dismiss minister Imran Hussain in the light of the sting operation made public.&nbsp;

Gupta also sought CBI probe into the matter.

Hussain was made minister in October 2015, replacing Asim Ahmed Khan who was sacked by Kejriwal for demanding a bribe.

Maken claimed “the sting operation takes the wind out of the probity and transparency claims” of Kejriwal who came to power promising corruption-free administration.

Maken also said if an impartial probe is held, Kejriwal too “cannot remain untouched” as there have been charges of selling tickets during polls.