Congress pulls up AAP, says Ashutosh has 'insulted sentiments of Indians'

Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee on Tuesday lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh for comparing expelled tainted minister Sandeep Kumar to Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Speaking about the recent controversies surrounding the AAP leaders, Sharmistha said the ruling party in Delhi must realize that it is above party politics.

"Also, the people, who are heading the institutions, and also the other people, who have been summoned by the other institutions, should realize that institutions are very important for the democracy of the country and they should pay due respect (to them)," she added.

Sharmistha, the daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee, also cornered the AAP over veteran social activist Anna Hazare's recent outburst against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"It's a matter of shame and sorrow that Anna Hazare ji, on whose moral sanction, the Aam Aadmi Party was created, who knew Mr. Arvind Kejriwal before the Jan Lokpal movement and it was Anna Hazare ji who gave him sanction and blessings. In a way, the guru of Kejriwal ji is now criticizing and denouncing him," she said.

Sharmistha also demanded a thorough investigation into AAP MLA Devinder Sehrawat's allegations that women were being exploited in return for tickets to fight the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls and said that the perpetrators should be brought to book.

"This is a very serious allegation and accusation against Aam Aadmi Party senior leaders in Punjab and in Delhi who are looking after Punjab. So, we demand that there has to be a thorough investigation of it and if there is any truth then obviously the people involved in such heinous acts should be punished," she said.

The Congress leader further said it is also a matter of great shame for the Aam Aadmi Party, which talked about dignity, safety and security of women, and which was one of their major electoral plans.

"They talked about transparency, about internal democracy. Now, they have done a complete U-Turn and we are seeing that one after another their senior leaders and their MLAs are accused of various cases, "she added.

Sharmistha also mentioned how the AAP was supposed to usher in an era of clean politics, but instead they are allegedly involved in various scandals, which in turn is a matter of great concern.