BJP, Congress attack AAP over sting operation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the sting operation which shows its party leaders accepting cash donations without proper verification.

"They have been calling the world robbers, and now, they have to look within their own homes," Delhi Congress leader J.P. Agarwal said.

He also said that the party had no principles and was a 'one leader' party.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley also criticised the AAP, saying in Bhopal that the allegations against its party leaders are serious, and added that there should be a police investigation.

"It is a very weird party. If they have formed a party on principles, then they should set high standards for themselves," Jaitley said.

The AAP, however, claimed that the tapes have been doctored and insisted on the raw footage of the sting operation being handed over to them, failing which, it said it would launch legal proceedings against mediasarkar.com.

AAP leader Yogendra Yadav told a press conference here that the alleged tapes seem to be "doctored", adding "we want the whole truth to be out."

"We had sent a letter and email asking Anuranjan Jha for the raw footage of the sting. But he has not responded," Yadav said.

A controversial sting operation has alleged that several AAP leaders, at least eight of them, were contacted for their help in the recovery of money from individuals and getting land deals done, and they readily agreed to extend their support in return of donations in cash to the AAP.

AAP leader Shazia Ilmi, who was one of the people nailed in the sting operation, offered to withdraw her candidature from Delhi Assembly elections after the sting operation came to the light.

"It is an extremely important fight for the AAP. But because of the underhand shoddy sting operation, I will not allow my party's image to be sullied. I offer to withdraw my candidature and not contest elections until and unless my name is cleared", Ilmi said.

Dismissing the sting operation as a conspiracy against his party, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal said he knew who were behind it, as BJP and Congress have been routed by AAP.

In a bid to pacify the whole situation, Kejriwal said on a microblogging website Twitter: "Some sting ops done on our candidates. Our team, including Sanj Singh n Yog Yadav, looking into it. We will not spare if anyone is guilty (sic)."

He further vowed not to compromise on the issue of corruption.

Yadav further requested the media to verify the authenticity of the CD before showing it on channels.