New Delhi: Four candidates including those who pitted against high profile opponents like central ministers Salman Khurshid and Sachin Pilot withdrew nominations on Monday citing lack of party support or alleging corruption in the party become major problem for Aam Aadmi Party.
The LS candidates from Farukkhabad, Etah and Agra in Uttar Pradesh and Ajmer in Rajasthan withdrew, giving credence to criticism that the party had spread itself too thin and was unable to offer significant support to its candidates or has not been able to vet them adequately.
Notify that AAP had expelled some activists of UP after which LS candidate withdrawal their nomination.
Journalist-turned-social activist Mukul Tripathi, contesting against foreign minister Salman Khurshid, withdrew his candidature saying, “I have returned the ticket and left the party as I am not getting any support from the organization. There is corruption in the internal organization.”
He claimed that his attempts to reach AAP leader Sanjay Singh proved futile and he had spent money out of his own pocket.
Withrawal of Tripathi is a blow to AAP since he was responsible for bringing to light an alleged scam regarding purchase of equipment for the differently abled by Khurshid-led Zakir Hussain Trust. Others like Dilip Yadav from Etah, Ravinder Singh from Agra and Ajay Somani from Ajmer have also dropped out.
Some sources of AAP had claimed that this had led to serious concern within the party about ticket distribution.
He said, “This has become a shortcoming of the party due to shortage of time and haste. We need systemic reform but that can be done only after the elections.”
Over this issue, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “We had publicly announced that we would not be able to provide financial support or resources to candidates. It is an election of the aam aadmi and those who feel they cannot challenge the status quo can leave. This is the new kind of politics.”
Bureau Report
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