The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will take legal action against those levelling allegations that it was receiving foreign funding, the party said on Thursday. Besides, the party also slammed BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj for describing Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse as a
“patriot”, and demanded stern action against him. Condemning the statement, senior party leader and AAP’s Delhi convener Ashutosh said the statement has exposed the “real face” of the BJP.
Senior party leader and AAP’s Delhi convener Ashutosh said that for the past few days, rival parties had been making allegations over the funding and it is in the process of preparing a list of people “notorious” for making such claims.
“The party has decided to take a strong view on this. We are very transparent in our funding. After verification by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is controlled by the BJP, we gave an oral submission to the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that our party’s funding was transparent,” Ashutosh said.
“The party will file a criminal defamation suit against people levelling
such allegations. The message the party wants to give is
that when you talk, please do that with proof,” said Ashutosh. Accusing AAP of diverting funds from NGOs of its leaders, Delhi BJP
had called for a probe into such events.
Talking of Sakshi Maharaj of the BJP, he said, “Their (the BJP and RSS) mentality has killed Gandhi. Even, Sardar Patel had told the then RSS chief MS Golwalkar that it was their ideology that killed the Father of the Nation. Narendra Modi keeps on talking about Mahatma Gandhi and had launched Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2. If he respects Gandhi so much, then stern action should be taken against Sakshi Maharaj.”
The party also demanded action against those involved in reconversions in Agra. “There is nothing wrong in reconversion unless it is done by luring someone with benefits. In this case, it looks like a clear case of luring people with Aadhaar card and ration. The Centre must not look at it as a State subject and must intervene in the matter,” Ashutosh said.
“Due to lack of transparency, common man is wondering whether donation is being received at the rate of Rs20,000 per plate or the funds of NGOs, which belonged to AAP leaders, are being
diverted,” Delhi BJP general secretary Ramesh had
said in a media briefing. The BJP leader had also asked AAP to reveal the names of all the people who had attended and donated.
Reacting strongly after the news conference, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had threatened to file a defamation suit against the BJP.