AAP hits out at BJP, Kejriwal demands apology from PM
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday slammed the central government, as well as leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party ruling it, and held them responsible for the Income Tax (I–T) Department's raids at 16 properties of Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot.
Among the properties raided are Gahlot's residence and companies like Brisk Infrastructure and Developers Ltd and Corporate International Financial Services Ltd, which belong to the AAP legislator.
The raids are being carried out in Delhi and Gurugram.
In response to the raids, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted on Wednesday, "Friendship with Neerav Modi and Mallya and raid on us? Modiji you conducted raids on me Satyendar and Manish what happened to those (raids). Nothing was found. So before you go with another raid at least apologize to Delhi people for troubling their elected government."
Addressing reporters at a press conference here, AAP leader Atishi said, "This is not the first time when agencies under the central government have raided properties of the AAP leaders. We are the only political party whose almost 100 per cent donations come through banking channels. We might be the only political party which is getting notices from the Income Tax every second day."
"This makes it clear that the central government is using all its agencies to intimidate AAP. Whether it is Central Bureau of Investigation, Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate or Delhi Police, the central government has put all agencies behind AAP," she further said.
Atishi claimed that the raids were being carried out because of two reasons. "Earlier, the former Chief Election Commissioner had given an unconstitutional order and disqualified our 20 MLAs on his last working day. After signing it, the President of India issued that order on a Sunday.
"However, the High Court later said that the EC's order was against the principles of natural justice. Kailash Gelhot is leading the legal actions of the case."
"Whether it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP president Amit Shah, they want 20 AAP MLAs to be illegally and unconstitutionally disqualified. But since AAP is giving a strong legal battle through Kailash Gehlot, it has not happened till now. This is the reason why I–T is raiding his properties," the AAP in-charge for East Delhi stated.
Marlena said the second reason behind the raids is because Gehlot played a crucial role in implementing home delivery or services.
"This is a revolutionary change in the governance. This comes under Administrative reforms department which is looked after by Kailash Gehlot. He has been pursuing this issue for over a year now.
"Despite multiple efforts made by the Centre to stop this service, AAP has been able to implement these services. Today, more than 40 government services are available to people at home service," she told reporters.
