Top BJP leaders corner AAP on Shunglu report

Party demands suspension of govt, seeks CM’s clarification

Seeking to corner the AAPled Delhi government over the findings of the Shunglu Committee report, the BJP on Thursday accused the ruling party of encouraging nepotism and making “flamboyant and illegal” decisions.

Attacking chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over the findings, Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said that it is shocking that Mr Kejriwal, who came to power showing a bundle of 370 pages of corruption charges against Sheila Dikshit, is today unable to face the people on the 404 pages Shunglu Committee report.

The party also demanded the “suspension” of the AAP government, which enjoys a massive mandate of 65 out of 70 seats in the Assembly. Addressing the media at the party’s national headquarters, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the attempt by the Delhi government is violative of established legal and constitutional positions and the BJP demands clarification from the AAP and CM Arvind Kejriwal.

“The kind of information in the Shunglu report pertains very seriously to issues of propriety and making decisions on subjects wherein it (the AAP government) has no role to play,” said Ms Sitaraman.

She also underlined appointment of personal staff of ministers, approved foreign travels and allotment of quarters as questionable actions of the government as pointed out in the report. “Nikunj Agarwal’s appointment as OSD to health minister is under the scanner as he is a relative of Arvind Kejriwal. What brings Nikunj Agarwal and nobody else on that position?” asked Ms Sitaraman.

The commerce and industry minister also questioned the appointment of Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain’s daughter, an architect by profession, to head a mohalla clinicrelated body, terming it as the worst case of nepotism.

BJP LS member from Meenakshi Lekhi alleged that Mr Kejriwal was heading a dishonest government and was misappropriating public money for personal gains.

“A lot of irregularities have taken place while filling up several posts. To the extent that a Class 12 passout was appointed as advisor. All these appointments were made without following standards and procedures of the Constitution and the law of the land,” said Ms Lekhi.