With several of his MlAs facing serious criminal charges, CM Arvind Kejriwal warned his MlAs that no act of corruption will be tolerated. The statement comes days after Aam Aadmi Party MlA and former Environment, Food and Supplies Minister Asim Ahmed Khan was publicly sacked from the Delhi Cabinet over graft charges.
Making a bid to revive his party’s campaign against corruption, Kejriwal addressed his MlAs and their families on Sunday to “remind them” of the background of Aam Aadmi Party, its ideology and how it rose from an anti-corruption movement.
In a meeting that lasted for over three hours, Kejriwal said that everyone is looking for opportunities to attack AAP Government, be it the Central Government, lieutenant Governor or the Delhi Police.
That is why, he said, that AAP MlAs need to be extra careful and showcase high standards of integrity so the party's image is not tarnished. He also warned his MlAs and their families that any kind of corruption won't be tolerated by the party.
Talking about the Asim Ahmed Khan episode, Kejriwal told his MlAs that if his Government still had control over the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Khan won’t have just been sacked but would also have been arrested within a day. He said that while they claim to be a party with integrity with no tolerance for corruption, one dirty fish can undo all the good that the party has done.
"We say that we have honest people in our cabinet but it pains whenever anyone is caught indulged in corrupt practices. We will not spare any MlA or party member if caught involved in corruption," he said.
The meeting that started at around 6.30 pm, lasted till over 10 pm, at the end of which, he stuck an emotional chord with his MlAs and their families telling them that if any MlA indulges in corruption, he won't be able to even face his family.
"Please do think about your family before committing any misdeed. It will be a social embarrassment for one's entire family if he is caught over the corruption charges," he said.
Controversial leaders including Somnath Bharti, who was recently released on bail in a domestic violence case filed by his wife and Tomar also attended the meeting. Khan and Timarpur legislator Pankaj Pushkar were not invited.
Reacting at being left out, Pushkar said, “This questions whether the real fight is against corruption or against some individuals.”
last week, AAP’s Environment, Food and Supplies Minister Asim Ahmed Khan was caught on tape demanding a bribe of Rs6 lakh.