A day after being sacked by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Women and Child Development Minister Sandeep Kumar on Thursday claimed that he was not on the tape and is being targeted because he is a Dalit. However, his explanation failed to mollify Arvind Kejriwal, who said that the former Minister has “betrayed the Aam Aadmi Party and its movement”.
Kumar alleged that “objectionable” CD on him is nothing but a conspiracy and it needs to be investigated. He said “I am not in that video. I am paying the price for being a Dalit. It’s a political conspiracy against me.”
“Investigation must be done about the video. like Eklavya was pulled down, when people from our community rise then some plot is hatched to destroy us,” added Kumar. “The plot was hatched ever since I installed Dr Ambedkar’s statue. It is because I am poor and Dalit,” he tweeted.
He said that there has never been a Dalit Cabinet Minister and he hails from Valmiki Samaj that is why he is being targeted. The sacked AAP Minister said that he was and is a soldier of Kejriwal. He mentioned that the authenticity of the CD and the facts should be investigated before media starts a trial against him.
He also lashed out at the media. “Without knowing my side, the media is showing things. My family is with me. I am not afraid of such controversies. I am a loyal person and can sacrifice anything for my community. It is the history of this country that whenever we have tried to rise, we have been suppressed. It is entirely a conspiracy against me and there should be an enquiry into it,” he said.
“I have resigned on basis of morality. If the media is trying to twist it then it is wrong. I was a soldier of AAP earlier and now also I won’t let the party be defamed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister claimed that AAP is a party with a “difference” and defended the removal of Sandeep Kumar as Minister for “betrayal” of core values, even as he hit out at the BJP and the Congress for “shielding” top leaders accused of corruption. In a video message, Kejriwal asserted that he will prefer to die or dissolve the party rather than compromising with the AAP’s principles, adding the same rule will apply to himself and all other senior leaders.
“If we come across evidence against an AAP leader or Minister, we take immediate action against him, this is the difference. We do not justify like other parties, we have sacked four Ministers ourselves.”
“We never cover up when we get evidence of any wrongdoing. The AAP takes action as soon as we get any evidence. Yesterday, a TV channel sent me the clip at 8 pm and we removed him at 8.30. This is the difference where we don’t compromise at any cost. It is sad that such people (Kumar) were with the AAP,” said Kejriwal.
Targeting BJP leaders, the Delhi Chief Minister said, “On the other hand, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is accused in Vyapam scam… but the BJP is trying to save him. Vasundhra Raje is accused of mining scam, lalitgate but party is trying to save her. Dr Raman Singh is accused of irregularities in buying helicopter but the BJP is trying to save him. Similarly, Anandiben is accused of selling land at very low cost to her but what the BJP is doing.”
Kejriwal further said, “Congress is no less.. there are several scams. Captain Amarinder Singh, Akali Dal’s Majithia are being saved by their parties. They are saving their leaders and looting the country. AAP is the only party that does not involve in corruption and stands against it.”