New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi took everyone by surprise on Friday by dramatically announcing the sacking of its environment and food minister, Asim Ahmed Khan, after a whistle blower accused him of corruption.
In a move that took his own party by surprise, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced at a press conference on Friday that his government has sacked Food and Civil Supplies and Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan on alleged charges of corruption.
With Deputy CM Manish Sisodia seated next to him, Kejriwal said the decision to sack Khan was based on taped conversations purportedly between the Minister and “a liaison between… a builder” which indicate that the Matia Mahal MLA allegedly took a bribe of Rs 6 lakh to allow the construction of a building in his constituency.
The released clip did not appear to provide any conclusive evidence but included lines purportedly uttered by Khan, such as these: “Muchse chhe keh gaya tha, aapko teen pe daal diya. Aapko beech mein daalkar mujhe nuksaan ho gaya. Mein apne aap kar loonga. Mere samne bolne ki itni himmat nahi hoti (He told me six and told you three. I think I have suffered a loss by involving you in this. I will handle this. He would not have had the courage to speak in front of me)”.
Saying that Khan’s sacking would drive home the anti-corruption message for every bureaucrat, MLA and minister, Kejriwal turned on the BJP and sought the sacking of Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Raje has been facing allegations linked to former IPL chief Lalit Modi while Chouhan has faced the heat over the Vyapam admissions scam. We have removed our Cabinet minister over corruption charges. We want the BJP too should take action against Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje,” said Kejriwal.
If our officer, minister, MLA or even my son or Manish is found involved in corruption, we will not spare anyone. And Manish will not spare me if I was found involved in corruption. This is the message we want to give to the entire administration,” he said. We are keeping tabs on everyone. We have our own system of keeping tabs on every one,” Kejriwal said.
Bureau Report
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