Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sacked his Food and Supplies minister, Asim Ahmed Khan, over allegations of corruption at a televised press conference.
The decision was taken after an audio clip surfaced with a purported telephonic conversation between Khan, the mediator and the builder over last one month in which Khan allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 6 lakh from the builder. Reports say that a senior AAP leader gave the clip to Kejriwal.
Kejriwal declared that decision for Khan’s removal was taken as part of the AAP’s zero tolerance towards corruption policy and called out BJP demanding the removal of Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan both of whom face corruption charges.
Kejriwal played out the sting operation tape at the press conference at which his deputy Manish Sisodia was also present.
We’ve received a serious complaint of corruption against our cabinet minister Asim Ahmed. The complainant has sent us a one-hour audio clip.
— Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi
The dramatic move earned Kejriwal a lot of brownie points among his supporters, the opposition however remained unimpressed.
We received a complaint, assessed it and have decided to remove Asim Ahmed from Cabinet; we’re referring this complaint to CBI.
— Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi
Kejriwal has also announced Khan’s replacement; Imran Hussain, the MLA from Ballimaran, will be Delhi’s new Food and Supplies Minister.
If we can sack our own minister on charges of corruption, this should go as a warning to every corrupt person.
— Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister, Delhi
The government, Kejriwal said, had received allegations against Khan on Thursday night. Khan is alleged to have demanded money from a builder to continue construction of a building in his constituency of Matia Mahal.
AAP Stands Their Ground
AAP ministers stood their ground over “AAP being against corruption” and came out in support of Kejriwal’s decision.
This is first time in Indian history that CM has removed his minister after receiving complain and prima facie on finding his allegation true. BJP never told what investigation is going on against Shivrah Singh Chouhan, Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje.
— Ashutosh, AAP Minister
We have told since the very first day that we will not compromise with any kind of corruption. Our party has acted accordingly.
— Gopal Rai, AAP Minister
Opposition Gives No Quarter
But the Congress has called Khan’s sacking a sham.
Just like he (Kejriwal) said the minsiter is prima facie corrupt, the same this is prima facie injustice. He (Kejriwal) wants to prove that he will not tolerate corruption and he is doing that without any basis.
— Shiela Dixit, Former Delhi CM
This is when there is no Lokpal in Delhi, imagine if it was there. Whole cabinet would have to resign.
— RPN Singh, CongressThe party that has been formed to fight corruption is finding itself in such a position. What about the files that he(Asim) has signed over the past eight months?
— Ajay Maken, Congress’ Delhi chief
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Kejriwal’s attempt to project it as a “situation of virtue” was ironical as the former had no other option but to remove the minister.
One of his ministers has been caught red-handed taking bribe and there was no option but to sack him. When faced with a situation like this what Kejriwal is trying do is make an even count of it.
— Sambit Patra, BJP Spokesperson
Kejriwal had swept the 2014 Delhi polls with a washout victory in 67 out of 70 seats. The remaining three seats were won by BJP, leaving Congress with no representation in Delhi.
(With inputs from PTI)
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