Congress alleges bribery, liquor scam by AAP Candidates ahead of Bypolls
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Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only BenefitsThe Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) on Thursday held a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan, alleging corruption within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the ongoing municipal by-elections. Congress leaders presented videos purportedly showing AAP’s Vinod Nagar ward candidate Geeta Rawat and her husband accepting money, along with another video allegedly showing liquor supplies meant for distribution seized from a vehicle linked to the Sangam Vihar ward campaign.
Addressing mediapersons, Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin questioned AAP’s claims of honesty. He said: “The MC by-elections are being held in 12 wards and during the elections, Aam Aadmi Party members have been caught taking bribes in Vinod Nagar ward and with liquor consignments in Sangam Vihar ward. After these incidents, will Arvind Kejriwal withdraw the names of these candidates or will the Election Commission cancel their nominations?” He alleged AAP has a “deep connection with corruption.”
Former DPCC chief Anil Kumar and candidate Vinod Dubey accused Rawat of accepting Rs 15,000 in a sting operation, noting she had previously faced similar charges. Kumar stated: “We have repeatedly exposed the corruption of the Aam Aadmi Party and the liquor scam in which Kejriwal made Delhi the drug capital…”
AICC secretary Abhishek Dutt also targeted AAP, saying: “AAP bye-election candidate’s brother-in-law Sahil Gautam has been arrested in connection with the seizure of high-end liquor…” He warned that if AAP fails to withdraw its candidates, “Congress workers will ‘gherao’ Arvind Kejriwal’s house tomorrow and go to the Election Commission to demand cancellation of their nominations.”