AAP crisis: Conflict, external pressure

TROUBLE Leaders of the party that has often alleged witchhunt by the Central government are facing multiple cases from various agencies. The party’s troubles are not just external but it also faces threat of imploding from within. The biggest threat for the party is, however, the impending verdict in the officeofprofit case that can substantially reduce its tally in the assembly

Sacked water minister Kapil Mishra’s complaint of alleged corruption against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his aides may be the least of the Aam Aadmi Party’s worries.

Kejriwal and his colleagues are facing multiple probes by multiple agencies. From Delhi Police to CBI, from Income-Tax to Election Commission, there is hardly any agency not looking into some charge or the other against AAP. The allegations, too, are multiple. From corruption to extortion, from nepotism to fraud, there are a range of allegations against members of the party and the Delhi government.

So much so that the state government’s own anti-corruption branch, which reports to the lieutenant governor, is probing the party and the Delhi government.

AAP leaders accuse the Centre of launching a witch-hunt against the Delhi government, and allege the investigations are illustrative of the union government’s intent. The BJP-led Central government denies the charge, describing it as an excuse for inefficiency.

Over the last two years, Delhi Police have held at least 14 MLAs on allegations such as rape, forgery, molestation and abetment to suicide. Three of its MLAs have been acquitted, while investigation is pending in other cases.

It’s not just the police. Kejriwal is facing trial in at least four defamation cases, including a case of criminal defamation filed by finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Even as the party is facing turmoil over whether to blame the EVMs for its civic poll debacle or not, the EC is set to pass a verdict in an office-of-profit case, for which the hearing ended on March 27. An adverse verdict could reduce the strength of the government, leading to the dismissal of 21 MLAs and leaving the party vulnerable to defection.