.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1080&auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
A day after he was sacked by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sandeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed that he was being ‘targeted’ because he is a Dalit.
On Wednesday, Kejriwal removed the cabinet minister at the back of an “objectionable” video.
The Quint has access to the video that shows the minister in a compromising position, but has editorially decided to not publish it. As the issue intensified, the sacked minister said it wasn’t him in the video.
I am paying price of being a Dalit. I am not in that video. Like Eklavya was pulled down, when people from our community rise, some plot is hatched to destroy us. The plot was hatched ever since I installed Dr Ambedkar’s statue. Even ABP says they can’t vouch for authenticity of tape. It is a case of media trial. I am from Valmiki community, that’s why this plot.
Kumar is the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child, SC and ST, Language – and was previously involved with Anna Hazare and his team in the anti-corruption movement.
Delhi Police Begin Probe
On Thursday, an investigation into the leaked CD was reportedly undertaken by the Delhi police. The CD was given to the Crime Branch on the order of commissioner of police, sources in the Delhi Police said.
A delegation of Delhi BJP on Thursday met Kumar and lodged a complaint against the sacked AAP minister, Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, accusing them of “misusing their public authority against women”.
The Video Came on a CD/Pendrive
The CD was sent to the AAP office, and thus accessed by the Delhi Chief Minister.
Kejriwal on Zero Tolerance in AAP
Kejriwal has maintained that AAP stood for propriety in public life. And ousting Kumar was to uphold the standards of the party.
Even the other party members reiterated Kejriwal’s stand. “AAP has zero tolerance for crime and corruption,” Sisodia said.
The party’s social media head Ankit Lal attacked the ABP news channel for airing the video.
Many friends are saying that the sex was consensual and matter should not have been picked up by party. When one is in a party like AAP even their personal lives and past is subjected to scrutiny. What ABP news did is an example of that. Though the video does not have time-stamp or does not reveal nature of relationship between the individuals but it was put on air by ABP. As IAC or AAP we have always said that any person holding office should be first removed and then probe should be done in such matters. As the video surfaced, the least the party could do is to remove him from office and then let law take its course. Which it did! Being a minister someone might effect investigation so it is important that he is removed from post Investigation will take its course. Now would request ABP to pursue this in court now that they have made a national issue out of it without concrete investigation.Ankit Lal on Twitter
Opposition Corners the AAP Govt
The video has given opposition parties an opportunity to corner the Delhi government.
Satish Upadhyay, President of the BJP’s Delhi unit, questioned the timing of the sacking – calling it a cover to save AAP’s face.
Speaking to CNN News18, senior BJP leader RP Singh called the AAP a “bunch of jokers”. He further asked Kejriwal to reassess what the party stands for.
Congress leader Kiran Walia, however, rebuked the party leadership over the issue, adding that it is shocking to find that a minister handling the women and child development portfolio was caught in the midst of a scandal.
BJP’s GVL Narasimha Rao said the party that spoke of bringing a new form of governance is declining with each passing day.
A woman party worker who was harassed by a fellow colleague in the party was told to sort out the matter and the CM himself was blamed by the women and her family members. This is the kind of attitude the party has on such serious issues. What has happened in shameful.
Not The First Time
Last year, Kejriwal had sacked his Food and Supplies Minister Asim Ahmed Khan at a televised press conference over allegations of corruption.
Khan was sacked for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 6 lakh from a builder.
The AAP supremo had declared that decision for Khan’s removal was taken as part of the party’s zero tolerance towards corruption policy.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)