Probe violation by AAP: SAD to EC

Shiromani Akali Dal today asked the Election Commission to investigate into "rampant violation" of electoral laws by Aam Aadmi Party in the run-up to the 2017 Punjab assembly elections.
In a statement issued here, SAD said the EC should look into the matter following the "startling revelations" that AAP was "amassing crores of rupees" to distribute party tickets for the polls.
All SAD MPs of Punjab, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhundur, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Prem Singh Chandumajra , Naresh Gujral, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Sher Singh Ghubaiya, urged the Election Commission to verify the "disclosures" made by former AAP Convenor Suchha Singh Chhotepur against his party and initiate proceedings to "disqualify" AAP from national politics.

"The party has turned out to be a money collection machine which is milking gullible Punjabis' by promising tickets to them," the MPs alleged, adding "this has vitiated electoral politics in Punjab".
They said Chhotepur, who was till yesterday the state Convenor of AAP in Punjab, had claimed "yesterday that party tickets were being sold by AAP for money ranging between Rs one to Rs two crore per seat".
"It is in fact when Chhotepur raised his voice against auctioning off party tickets to corrupt officials, criminals and moneybags, that the Delhi-based high command of AAP started plotting his ouster from the party," they alleged.

The MPs also announced they would file a formal complaint against AAP with the Election Commission to ensure "firm action is taken against the party".

"We want the EC to take immediate action against AAP so that a message is sent across to all political parties that criminalisation of politics by such underhand means will not be tolerated at any cost," they said.
The MPs said the EC should call for and record the statement of Chhotepur and also that of former official Hardeep Kingra, singer Jassi Jasraj and NRI Pavittar Singh who had made "disclosures" of money being collected by the Delhi team of AAP in lieu of allotting tickets.

Harsimrat asked the EC to summon AAP Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to explain why he was trying to spread "dissensions and hatred" among the Sikh community by encouraging its leaders to "disrespect" their own religion.
She said had Chhottepur not "rejected" Kejriwal's statement to take the Akal Takth head on, the supreme religious head of Sikhs, the peaceful atmosphere of the state would have been "severely disturbed".
Harsimrat alleged AAP was not only fomenting divisions in the Sikh community but also among different communities in Punjab.