AAP probe panel biased: Chhotepur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 27

Former state convener of Aam Aadmi Party Sucha Singh Chhotepur today rejected the inquiry panel constituted by the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to probe corruption charges against him.

Taking note of the video clip wherein Chhotepur was seen taking money from a party volunteer, the PAC yesterday decided to remove him from the post of state convener and appoint a two-member panel, comprising Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh and senior leader Jasbir Singh Bir, to inquire into the matter. Chhotepur, however, rejected the committee as “biased”. He said both members of the inquiry committee were against him so he could not expect justice.

He said if the party leadership wanted to bring out the truth, it should appoint independent leaders.

Talking to ANI, Chhotepur said he was very much surprised by the decision of the party to remove him from party post.

"A committee is formed after my removal. A standard process is that a committee is formed first and then the decision is taken," he said.

"I want to tell them that the people whom they have included in the committee were recommending for my removal. I yesterday said this and I reiterate that if I had done any wrong deed then there should be a CBI inquiry. If I am found guilty, they can defame me," he added.

Dismissing charges levelled by Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, Chhotepur alleged that Mann was an addict and one believed him. He alleged that Mann was drunk even when he visited the bhog ceremony of Behbal Kalan victims. He said Mann was also opposing the induction of former BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu in AAP.

Now, Akali leader alleges AAP rebel took Rs 2 lakh from him

Amritsar: Former district SAD president Upkar Singh Sandhu here on Saturday alleged that Sucha Singh Chhotepur took Rs 2 lakh from him on the pretext of helping him join the Aam Aadmi Party. He accused Chhotepur of not keeping his word. Sandhu claimed that he gave the money on May 13 and Chhotepur called him for a meeting with Arvind Kejriwal here on July 17. However, the meeting did not take place, he added. Sandhu had quit the SAD after last year's Bargari police firing that claimed two lives. Later, he rejoined the party. TNS

Pro-Chhotepur group rejects party candidates, forms outfit

Amritsar: Manjit Singh Randhawa, a former member of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Political Review Committee, said here on Saturday that Sucha Singh Chhotepur had been trapped by his rivals within the party. Addressing mediapersons, Randhawa said the AAP volunteers would boycott the party's central leadership in protest against Chhotepur's removal as the state party convener. Rejecting all candidates announced so far, he said his group had formed a party named “AAP Punjab”. TNS

Those who fail to serve Kejriwal are rejected, alleges BJP

New Delhi: A day after Sucha Singh Chhotepur was removed from the post of state AAP convener, the BJP said on Saturday that anybody who failed to serve AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was ousted from the party. Alleging that the AAP central leadership was selling the party ticket for Rs 2 crore, BJP leader RP Singh said, "He (Chhotepur) has openly said that the Delhi leadership is giving the ticket for money… The reason why Navjot Singh Sidhu could not strike a deal with AAP was that his demand for 40 tickets was turned down." "The same thing happened with Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav. In this party, anybody who talks sense or shows dissent is expelled. Their sole plan is to make Kejriwal the Punjab Chief Minister," he added. ANI