BJP, Congress demand derecognition of AAP, cite AAP activist's suicide, Golden Temple case

The BJP and Congress on Thursday came together demanding derecognition of the Aam Aadmi Party by the Election Commission over using the image of the Golden Temple on its youth manifesto and also on the recent case of suicide of by its woman activist who alleged molestation by a fellow party worker.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi attacked the AAP, referring to the suicide of an AAP activist in Delhi. Lekhi said the case filed by the victim alleging outraging of modesty by an AAP activist should now be treated as abetment to suicide. She said action should taken against top AAP leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and that the party should be derecognised by the EC.Lekhi also said that the party does less political work and instead does the work of 'procuring' women for their bosses. "It's not about one woman, but the party has created a structure where women are exploited," Lekhi alleged.

A similar demand was made by Congress MPs Ravneet Singh Bittu and Santok Singh Chaudhary.

Chaudhary alleged that an AAP legislator has been named in a case of alleged desecration of Koran, while Bittu claimed that using the picture of the Golden Temple on it its youth manifesto had hurt the feelings of Sikhs in Punjab. Both also sought derecognition of AAP.

While a senior AAP leader said the comments only reflect the BJP's mindset, AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said, "Do you expect me to react on this?"