The Asian Age

Says no ‘political vendetta’, not linked to upcoming HP polls BJP seeks resignatio­n of CM, Jain after minister’s arrest

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New Delhi, May 31: The BJP on Tuesday demanded the resignatio­n of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and health minister Satyendar Jain, who was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, alleging that the AAP chief’s stand on the issue shows that he not only condones corruption but is also involved in it. BJP spokespers­on Gaurav Bhatia also rejected the AAP’s allegation of “political vendetta” and that Mr Jain’s arrest was linked to upcoming polls in Himachal Pradesh. No court has quashed any proceeding­s of central agencies in a corruption case, he asserted and expressed confidence that the BJP will win the Himachal polls, likely to be held later this year.

Addressing a press conference, a day after Jain was arrested by the ED, Bhatia said the BJP government at the Centre has zero tolerance against corruption and will continue to target graft. Polls keep taking place in the country, and probe agencies cannot be asked to step back from

acting despite evidence because of elections, he added. Alleging that the health minister had been acting at the behest of the AAP supremo, the BJP leader said both Kejriwal and Jain should resign. It is clear that Kejriwal has been left with no morality, he claimed and equated the AAP with “paap” (sin).

Noting that former Punjab health minister Vijay Singla was also arrested in a corruption case recently, Bhatia alleged that the AAP has maintained a “100 per cent corruption” record.

The AAP keeps saying that Kejriwal is an anti-corruption crusader but it is now clear that he is looting public money, he further alleged.

The allegation­s of money laundering against Jain are serious, Bhatia said and noted that he had so far got no relief from any court.

The lack of action against him by Mr Kejriwal shows that he not only condones corruption but is also involved in it, he alleged.

Mr Jain was arrested by the Enforcemen­t Directorat­e (ED) on Monday in connection with a money laundering case. Reacting to the arrest of his close aide, Kejriwal said on Tuesday that the ED’s case is “completely fake and politicall­y motivated”.

Kejriwal asserted that his government and the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) are “hardcore honest”.

Citing the reports regarding the case against Jain, the BJP spokespers­on said the Delhi minister used four firms to launder over ` 4.8 cr.

 ?? — PTI ?? Congress workers show black flags to Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain after he was produced at Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi on Tuesday.
— PTI Congress workers show black flags to Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain after he was produced at Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi on Tuesday.

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