Will challenge LG’s order on ads: CM

New Delhi, April 24

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed as "wrong" Lt Governor Anil Baijal's order to recover Rs 97 crore from the AAP for allegedly spending on the advertisements and said it will be challenged in the court.

The Chief Minister's remark came after Baijal had last month directed Chief Secretary M M Kutty to recover Rs 97 crore from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that was allegedly "splurged" by the government on advertisements in violation of the Supreme Court guidelines.

"The Lt Governor's order to pay Rs 97 crore is totally wrong. We will challenge the order in the court," Kejriwal said.

He also sought reasons behind "targeting" of the AAP government.

The LG had also ordered an inquiry into the spending on the advertisements, projecting Kejriwal and his party, and asked the the Chief Secretary to fix responsibility.

"The first logic (behind the LG's order) was that my government gave advertisements outside Delhi. Several state governments - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - give advertisements in newspapers in Delhi.

"Why no such order for them? Why only my government is being targeted?" Kejriwal asked.

The Chief Minister said the second reason given in the LG's order was that the advertisements carried his photos in violation of the rules. — PTI