Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sacked its Punjab state convenor Sucha Singh Chottepur on Friday, after allegations emerged against him of taking bribe for issuing tickets.
Chhotepur is in the eye of storm after a video clip surfaced allegedly showing him taking money in a purported sting operation. The video was shown to the party’s convenor, Arvind Kejriwal earlier this month.
The party has taken a stern view of the charges against Chottepur and convened a high-level meeting on Friday in Delhi to decide the fate of the AAP leader.
Earlier, 21 AAP leaders from Punjab, including MPs Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh, had shot off a letter to the Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal asking him to immediately sack Chhotepur from the party.
We are upset and disappointed to see reports in regard to acceptance of bribe by Chhotepur... Our party’s principles of zero tolerance towards corruption must be followed and such a corrupt person (referring to Chhotepur) must be immediately removed.
When contacted, AAP spokesperson and Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh said, “A few state leaders have written to the party leadership. The Political Affairs Committee (of AAP) will take a final call on the matter.” However, party sources said Chhotepur is most likely to be suspended from the party.
Meanwhile, Chhotepur, who is unhappy with AAP’s ticket distribution, asked the party leadership to make the clip public so that he can get a chance to reply.
Punjab Chief Says Its a Conspiracy
Sucha Singh Chhotepur, spoke to the media on Friday and expressed regret at the development. He said that the party is conspiring against him while the Opposition leaders are trying to defend him.
Alleging that his friends in the party have conspired against him, he added that that its highly unfortunate that his Deputy was the one shooting the video.
(With agency inputs.)
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