AAP gets ₹ 164 Crore notice for ’Political Ads’, asked to pay in 10 days

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, Jan 12, 2023: The Delhi government has served a notice for recovery of ₹ 163.62 crore to Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly running its political advertisements in the guise of government advertisements.

 

The recovery notice issued by the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) also directed the ruling party in Delhi to pay the amount within 10 days.

"A final opportunity is hereby given to reimburse the amount of ₹ 163,61,88,265/- (Rs One hundred and sixty three crores, sicty one lakh, eighty eight thouand, two hundred and sixty five only) by depositing the said amount in the account details given below within 10 days of issuing of this notice, failing which further necessary action as per law will be taken in this matter," the notice read.

 "If the AAP convener fails to do so, all consequential legal action including attachment of the properties of the party shall be taken in time bound manner, as per the earlier order of the Delhi LG," news agency PTI reported quoting a source.

The development comes nearly a month after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena initiated action against the Arvind Kejriwal-led party accusing it of running political advertisements it the guise of government advertisements.

The party, reacting to Lt Governor’s December 20 order seeking recovery of ₹ 97 crore, said that he has no power to pass such orders.

AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj had termed the LG’s direction a "new love letter". "The BJP is flustered that we have become a national party and wrested power from it in the MCD. LG sahab is doing everything in accordance with the BJP’s directions and that is troubling the people of Delhi. The more worried Delhi’s people are, the happier the BJP gets," Mr Bhardwaj said.

He had further said that the Lt Governor’s directions would not stand in the eyes of law.