Kejriwal must prove charges or apologise for calling leaders

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 31 2014 | 11:55 PM IST
BJP today condemned AAP for terming its leaders "corrupt" and demanded an apology from Arvind Kejriwal even as it threatened to take legal action in case he failed to do so.
Targeting rival politicians, Congress leaders included, Kejriwal today charged that they were "corrupt" and said that AAP would field candidates against all of them.
"BJP condemns the statement and expects that he will either present proof (backing)... The wild allegations or seek an apology... Otherwise, all options are open, including that of taking legal action," said party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.
Kejriwal had no authority to term his political opponents corrupt and engage in character assassination by making baseless allegations, he added.
"Kejriwal and AAP should understand the difference between (being) an agitator and (holding) constitutional responsibility.
"Kejriwal should graduate from getting childish enjoyment and pleasure from media attention (and become) a mature person who holds a constitutional post at the highest level in the state," he said.
The BJP leader said Kejriwal had in the past made some allegations against former party chief Nitin Gadkari although he could not substantiate the same.
Kejriwal said he has drawn up a list of "corrupt" politicians against whom AAP has decided to field candidates.
The list included Rahul Gandhi, several UPA ministers, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, BSP chief Mayawati, Union Ministers P Chidambaram and Sushilkumar Shinde and former BJP president Nitin Gadkari, among others.
He also took a jibe at BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Rahul, claiming both had spent over "Rs 500 crore on branding" and image-building.
Congress, too, has hit out at the AAP chief over his claims.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 31 2014 | 11:55 PM IST

Next Story