Distancing itself from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh’s stand about sacked Women and Child Welfare Minister Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said whatever the former said was “his own opinion”. “Whatever Sandeep Kumar did cannot be defended. And, what all Ashutosh said is his own opinion, but the entire party is clear about Sandeep’s behaviour,” Sisodia said.
“If tomorrow allegations are levelled against me, the same actions would be taken against me,” said Sisodia, adding that the AAP suspended Kumar from primary membership after a raging controversy over an ‘objectionable CD’ which showed him in a compromising position with a woman.
Kumar’s ouster from the party comes nearly three days after his sex scandal CD was distributed in the media, causing a major embarrassment to the AAP.
Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha protested at Rajghat against the uncivilised comments by AAP leader. The Delhi Youth Congress (DPYC) also protested at AAP Headquarters at DDU Marg against Ashutosh on Saturday evening.
Sisodia said, “A probe is going on against him and whatever Sandeep Kumar did is not acceptable.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said the decision to suspend him was taken because “his behaviour was wrong” and violated the party’s principles.
After Sisodia, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra also distanced himself from his stand.
In an obvious reference to the views expressed by AAP leader Ashutosh on Mahatma Gandhi, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra on Saturday said it was impossible to compare the Father of the Nation with anybody and there was a difference between truth, love and ‘adultery.’
On Facebook, Mishra penned that it was not appropriate to refer Gandhiji in the present context. The Minister was speaking his mind after journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh questioned why Sandeep Kumar was being punished over consensual sex, as shown in the objectionable CD. The Water Minister said to clean and to cover squalor are two different things as he posted a letter written by Kasturba Gandhi to her husband — Mahatma Gandhi — on his FB timeline. He said the couple shared a very pious and spiritual relationship.
“I have said this on the very first day that in the matter of character, corruption and crime, no one will be spared. And, if tomorrow, even if it comes to me, then the same action will be taken against me as well,” Sisodia said.