After Asim’s sacking over graft; Kejriwal meets MLAs

The meeting was called up in the backdrop of the sacking of Food Supply and Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan on the charges of graft.

The meeting, according to sources, started around 8 pm, wherein almost all MLAs were present with their families. Kejriwal attended the meeting with his wife, parents, <g data-gr-id="54">son</g> and daughter. 

“I feel very sad for his family – his wife children and parents. The entire family suffers for the fault of a member. We never imagined to come into politics but in the course of fighting against corruption situations compelled us to form party and contest elections,” said Manish Sisodia, in his inaugural speech. 

The meeting was attended by most of the Aam Aadmi Party MLAs. The sacked minister Khan did not attend the meeting while former law minister Jitender Singh Tomar and his predecessor Somnath Bharti also attended the meeting. 

AAP’s rebel MLA Pankaj Pushkar boycotted the meeting due to his differences with Kejriwal. Delhi Cant MLA Surender Singh is in Dehradun while names of two more MLAs could not be ascertained. Besides MLAs, senior AAP leaders like <g data-gr-id="44">Ahutosh</g>, Sanjay Singh, and Kumar Vishwas were also present in the meeting. 

“I admit that our salary is just Rs 12,000 per <g data-gr-id="52">month</g> but it does not mean we should engage in corrupt practices,” said Saurabh Bhardwaj, MLA from Greater Kailash and former Delhi transport minister.

In the meeting, MLAs were being given <g data-gr-id="34">opportunity</g> to share their experiences including grievances and suggestions to combat corruption. According to sources, the meeting was to continue till late night.

It’s is important to mention that Khan is the second minister removed by Kejriwal since he came to power on February 14 this year. 

The first minister to face the axe was Jitendra Singh Tomar whose degrees were allegedly fake but party blamed conspiracy by Central government in that case while in Khan’s case the decision was taken by Kejriwal himself on formal complaint in his office which he himself highlighted announcing his on-camera <g data-gr-id="32">sacking</g>.

“If we had Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) with us, Asim would have been behind bars,” said Kejriwal warning the party MLA and leaders on <g data-gr-id="48">corruption</g> issue. “We used to claim about the best cabinet and first corruption-free <g data-gr-id="46">cabinet</g> but a dirty fish surfaced amongst us,” he added. 

The Chief Minister also cautioned the family members to be alert. 

“It’s also the responsibility of family members, whenever you find anybody <g data-gr-id="38">slippling</g> or sinking in the corruption. Please alert me. I can tolerate anything but not corruption. If anybody found involved in corruption, he will be shown the door,” Kejriwal said, sending <g data-gr-id="45">stern</g> message to his MLAs and colleagues.