A day after Najeeb Jung alleged “nepotism” in the AAP Government, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday hit back, saying the former lt-Governor was “settling scores” by making “baseless charges” keeping the Punjab polls in mind.
He accused Jung of “lying” over the case involving Nikunj Aggarwal, a relative of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife. Jain said Aggarwal was never sent on a trip to China as claimed by Jung.
Jain said his daughter Saumya was never appointed by the Government in any capacity and she had merely worked as a volunteer in a mohalla clinic project. Jung has said the CBI has registered an FIR in the matter.
“All his allegations are based on lies. His (Aggarwal’s) passport can be checked to see whether he went to China or not. As far as Saumya is concerned, she was never appointed and was working as a volunteer. She did not take any money,” Jain told reporters.
Jung’s remarks that Kejriwal may face “criminal charges” over irregularities found by the Shunglu Committee in the decisions taken by the Government, has triggered a fresh row.
On appointments made by DCW chief Swati Maliwal, Jain said an expanded workforce was necessitated due to her redoubled efforts in taking up cases.
“This is all keeping the Punjab polls (on February 4) in mind and it seems he (Jung) is campaigning. He should lead a peaceful post-retirement life which he so wanted. Why is he creating nuisance,” he asked.
On Jung’s assertion that the Kejriwal Government’s plan to set up a counter-IB like structure had rattled him, Jain said, “We had just created an anti-corruption helpline. He had deployed paramilitary.”
Meanwhile, AAP scoffed at Jung, saying the former l-G must be reading spy-thriller novels to remark that Kejriwal may face “criminal charges” over irregularities found by the Shunglu Commission.
AAP’s Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey said, “Now that he (Jung) has enough time, he must be reading spy-thrillers to say this.”Pandey said the Centre has numerous agencies under it to probe the allegations and it is free to do so.