AAP leader stung, ‘caught’ taking cash

An AAP supporter tried to hand me a packet which, he said, was funds for the party. I refused to take it. But while leaving he left it on my suitcase. I did not realise he had done that. And all this while, he was apparently filming the meeting

CHANDIGARH: AAP’s Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who recently voiced his displeasure over the distribution of tickets by the party’s central leadership, has found himself at the receiving end of a sting operation.

While a video clip purportedly shows Chhotepur accepting cash from a party worker, a separate audio file depicts him ‘admitting’ that Sangrur party MP Bhagwant Mann has a drinking problem. The audio file is available on social media platforms, but the video clip has been kept under wraps.

Chhotepur said the video clip was made only to embarrass him. “Earlier this month, an AAP supporter came to meet me. He was referred to me by two senior leaders. He tried to hand me a small packet, which he said contained funds for the party. Though I refused to take the money, he left it on my suitcase while leaving. I did not even know he had done that. Was the money being given for something I promised to do? Was it a quid pro quo? The answer is no.”

But is the party collecting donations in this manner? “AAP does not have an account in Punjab,” the party leader explained. “We don’t even have a designated treasurer to collect donations and disburse money for party activities.”

Chhotepur said other leaders Sucha Singh Chhotepur, AAP convener, Punjab

take adequate precautions to prevent “stings” like the one he faced. “I have been told that some Delhi leaders make sure party workers put away their mobile phones and pens before meeting them. Why should I do that? My life is an open book. Every paisa donated to the party is accounted for.”

Regarding the audio clip, Chhotepur said he did not know who the caller was. “The man, who claimed to be a party worker, said he found it difficult to justify Mann’s drinking problem during TV discussions. I told him that the party was aware of the problem, and was trying to talk to Mann about it. That’s all. It is a petty political move to embarrass me and the party,” he said.

Punjab party affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh said he was unaware of any sting operation.