Won’t compromise on core values, says CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday positioned AAP as a party with a “difference” over the removal of Sandeep Kumar as minister for “betrayal” of core values, even as he hit out at BJP and Congress for “shielding” top leaders accused of corruption.

 In a video message a day after he sacked Kumar, Kejriwal asserted that he will prefer to die or dissolve the party rather than compromising with the AAP’s principles, adding the same rule will apply to himself and all other senior leaders. Kejriwal said although the turn of events and the fact that “such people” were in the party “saddened” him, he takes “pride” from the fact that AAP did not attempt to “cover up” the transgressions.

 “Sandeep Kumar betrayed the party, he betrayed the AAP movement and the trust people across the country have reposed on AAP. We will never ever compromise on our core values. We will prefer to die, close the party or perish than tolerating wrongdoings,” he said. Admitting that the case may sully the party’s image in people’s minds, Kejriwal said what sets AAP apart from other parties was that it does not dither to take prompt action, which comes out from the fact that as many as “four people” have been summarily suspended.

 “When we get proof of any wrongdoing we don’t spare anyone and take immediate action, which does not happen in other parties,” he said. In a sudden move, Kumar, who held the Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare portfolios, was sacked from the council of ministers on Wednesday by Kejriwal after he received a nine-minute-long CD in which Kumar was purportedly shown in a compromising position with a woman. 

“We never cover up when we get evidence of any wrongdoing. AAP takes action as soon as we get any evidence. On Wednesday, a TV channel sent me the clip at 8 PM and we removed him at 8.30. This is the difference where we don’t compromise at any cost. It is sad that such people (Kumar) were with AAP,” Kejriwal said.

 Rebutting BJP’s criticism, Kejriwal asked the party what action it had taken against allegations of wrongdoings against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.