Sting hits Arvind Kejriwal’s party, key candidate Shazia Ilmi offers to withdraw

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 22, 2013: Two weeks before Delhi votes, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Admi Party has been hit with a sting operation that allegedly shows some of its candidates agreeing to help push property deals and resolve financial disputes in return for cash donations to the party.

One of those targeted by the sting is AAPs high-profile candidate from RK Puram, Shazia Ilmi, a former journalist and vocal activist, who has offered not to contest the elections.

"I will not allow my party’s image to be sullied by the underhand shoddy sting operation. I offer to withdraw my candidature and not contest elections until and unless my name is cleared," Ms Ilmi said.

Mr Kejriwal, whose party makes its debut in the Delhi elections on an anti-corruption plank, has dismissed the sting operation as a "political conspiracy" and an attack of the kind he expects, but also said, "We will not spare any one who is guilty, we will not compromise with any kind of corruption."

Senior AAP leaders were in a huddle soon after the sting was made public at a press conference at Delhi’s Constitution Club on Thursday. They said they would first see unedited footage of the operation and then take action within 24 hours. They have demanded the full video footage by 11 am today. 

The sting was conducted by a website called Mediasarkar, which alleged at its presser that while no criminal offense may be made out, it raises a moral question since AAP has based its campaign on clean politics. It, however, refused to say which political party had helped it book a conference hall at the club, which requires a member of Parliament to make a booking.

Earlier this week, when year-old videos of veteran activist Anna Hazare raising concerns over the funding of AAP emerged, party leaders accused the Congress and BJP of conspiring to undermine Mr Kejriwal.

 

Courtesy: NDTV