Kapil Mishra accuses Kejriwal of massive financial irregularities, even as AAP continues to blame the ousted minister for singing the BJP tune
With rebel Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra upping the ante against party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, all major political parties have demanded the CM's resignation on"moral grounds" . Mishra accused Kejriwal of "massive financial irregularities", even as AAP continued to blame the ousted minister for singing the BJP tune.
Mishra, who has been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike and is demanding that AAP discloses details of foreign trips made by its leaders, has claimed that the party concealed from the Election Commission (EC), the total amount of donations it received. He also accused the party of using "fictitious"donor names and "shell companies"to launder money.
Demanding a thorough probe into the allegations, Delhi Congress Chief Ajay Maken said: "The allegations are serious. Kejriwal should step down on moral and legal grounds. AAP, which floated shell companies to convert black money into white to show in its accounts, also receives illegal foreign funding, which is a serious matter," He added that it was "unlikely that the government agencies were unaware of it".
Similarly, BJP's state Chief Manoj Tiwari also demanded Kejriwal's resignation on the basis of Mishra'allegations, saying: "AAP should bring an interim Chief Minister, till the inquiry against Kejriwal is pending."
"AAP should respect democracy. It is not just a number game. It is about transparency in working," he said, adding that the BJP will write to the Finance Minister regarding the Axis Bank-AAP connection.
Earlier on Sunday, Mishra had alleged that the party had received donations worth crores from 16 "non-existent"companies on the midnight of January 20, 2014. The funds received were sent to the Krishna Nagar branch of Axis Bank, where cases of converting black money into white were reported at the time of the demonetization drive.
AAP, however, has denied the allegations, claiming that Mishra was singing the BJP tune. "This is BJP's plot to finish AAP. It should stop questioning the credentials of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal as we have ensured transparency while accepting funds," senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said.
"Kejriwal left his job for the welfare of the nation. How can someone put such allegation against him? If they want to target us, they should openly do this and should not get indulge in planning and plotting," he added.
Kejriwal should resign or I will pull him by his collar and drag him to the gates of Tihar jail.
— Kapil Mishra, former AAP minister.
The allegations are serious. Kejriwal should step down on moral and legal grounds. There should be an investigation to trace the source of foreign funding to AAP.
— Ajay Maken, state Congress Chief.
Mr Corrupt has increased corruption in Delhi by leaps and bounds. This has overshadowed governance. AAP is a one-man party.
— Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP National Spokesperson.
A year ago, even the PM had leveled such allegations against us. Now they are repeating the same through Kapil Mishra. He repeats what the BJP says.
— Sanjay Singh, AAP leader.
...& ANALYSIS
The allegations are serious in nature. The constant infighting, and accusations by its own leaders, has led to a fall in AAP's 'anti-corruption'reputation. It will take some strong measures to bring the p;arty back up in the common man's eyes.
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 "Arvind Kejriwal")
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