Selective targeting of AAP for ads a conspiracy: Sisodia

The order of a panel formed by the Centre to recover Rs 97 crore from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for splurging on ads is a conspiracy, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

Sisodia told media that the three-member panel did not have the mandate to give the recommendation on recovery of money from AAP.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Information and Publicity, said the AAP-led Delhi government was being "selectively targeted" when no questions are being raised on ads issued by other state governments.

He added that the AAP government did not splurge money, but tried to communicate the "good work" done by it to the people. "The (Delhi) government would continue to engage with people through ads, despite the recovery suit," a defiant Sisodia said.

Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday had asked the Delhi government to recover Rs 97 crore it spent on certain advertisements from the AAP within a month.

The order followed recommendations of the Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA), which found that the advertisements were used to promote the AAP instead of the government.

The three-member committee was formed on the basis of Supreme Court guidelines, which said its members should be of "unimpeachable neutrality".

Sisodia said that AAP was being targeted because of advertisements but other state governments did the same. Several governments organised five-star summits even outside their states to showcase their work.

"Every government showcases its work and gives advertisements. Former Delhi Chief Minister went to London to showcase her government's works, but only AAP is targeted. If the Congress does the same it is advertisement. When we do, it is misuse," Sisodia said.

The Deputy CM added: "The order to recover Rs 97 crore from AAP is a conspiracy to suppress AAP's voice against corruption. We will tell the masses what work we are doing, which is our right as an elected government. We will also tell the public the problems we are facing. Do whatever you (central government) want.

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Sisodia said that the government - not the party - only advertised its work. "What crime has the AAP committed and why should it pay? Did AAP order those advertisements?" Sisodia asked. He added that the committee had no authority to recommend recovery of money from the party as the Supreme Court had not given any such instruction to the panel.