Page 69 - Aap

Tihar Jail SP transfers two inmates to Satyendra Jain's cell; gets notice

The Tihar Jail administration has issued a show cause notice to the superintendent of jail number 7 for transferring two inmates to former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain's cell, officials said on Monday. Jain had submitted an application to the jail administration requesting that two inmates be lodged with him as he was feeling depressed and lonely, they said. The superintendent transferred the inmates without informing or discussing the matter with the administration, a senior official said. When the jail administration came to know about it, a show cause notice was issued to the concerned officer who then transferred the inmates back, he said. "A show cause notice has been issued to the superintendent of jail no 7 of Tihar Jail by Director General Sanjay Beniwal seeking an explanation for transferring the inmates to the former Delhi minister's cell without following certain guidelines and for not informing the jail administration before taking the step," the official said. Jain w

Newly elected AAP MP Sushil Kumar Rinku meets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

A day after Jalandhar bypoll results, AAP leader Sushil Kumar Rinku who won from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency met with AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi on Sunday

Councillor Pawan Sehrawat returns to AAP, big blow to BJP in Delhi: Pathak

BJP councillor Pawan Sehrawat on Sunday returned to Aam Aadmi Party's fold and said it was like "coming back to my family". The Arvind Kejriwal-led party termed his return as a "big blow to the BJP" in Delhi. AAP's MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak made the announcement during a press conference here, and said there were "a bit of organisational differences" in between, because of which he "felt sad and had joined the BJP". Though he may have physically gone to the BJP, but his mind was with the AAP only, Pathak said. "He (Sehrawat) was in constant touch with me, and all misgivings were removed and today he has returned to the same family, with the same honour, to his seat. So, we welcome back Pawan to his family (AAP)," the party's MCD in-charge told reporters. The Bawana councillor had joined the BJP in February, ahead of a crucial MCD House meeting, and had alleged that he felt "suffocated" due to "corruption" in the party led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Pathak and Seh

Politics of hate doesn't work forever: AAP on BJP defeat in Karnataka polls

The BJP should learn from its defeat in the Karnataka assembly elections that "politics of hate" does not work forever, the AAP said on Sunday. Addressing a press conference here, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also have to understand that "the time of contesting elections on non-issues, playing politics of hate and throttling opposition is going to end". "Such a result is bound to come when you won't talk about price rise, unemployment, Adani scam, Agniveer and farmers issue and contest election on fake and non-issues," Singh added. The AAP leader said the Congress won the Karnataka assembly polls as people found it an alternative in view of the "40 per cent commission" regime of the BJP in the state. "Karnataka polls result is a big indication and warning to the BJP that politics of hate and efforts to make non-issues as issues of election won't continue for long and meet the same fate," he said. Singh accepted th

Jalandhar LS bypoll: AAP's vote share climbs to 34%, Cong's vote share dips

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that emerged victorious in the high-stakes Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll in Punjab on Saturday secured a vote share of 34.05 per cent, up from 2.5 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. AAP's Sushil Rinku defeated his nearest rival, Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary of the Congress, by a margin of 58,691 votes, according to the Election Commission's data. Rinku, who joined the AAP after quitting the Congress before the bypoll, polled 3,02,279 votes, while Chaudhary secured 2,43,588 votes, according to the data. Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, who was backed by the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), finished the poll race at the third spot, while the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal was fourth. Sukhi polled 1,58,445 votes, while Atwal bagged 1,34,800 votes. With this victory, the AAP wrested the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency from the Congress. The seat with a considerable Dalit presence was considered a bastion of

Win reflects people's faith in AAP: Raghav Chadha on Jalandhar LS bypoll

Rinku has so far polled 3,02,097 votes, while Congress nominee Karamjit Kaur has secured 2,43,450 votes

L-G refuses to abide by top court verdict, forced to approach again: AAP

The AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Friday accused LG V K Saxena of refusing to abide by the Supreme Court's verdict on the services matter and said his action had prompted them to approach the apex court again. A day after the Supreme Court held it has legislative and executive powers over all but three services, the Delhi government moved the apex court on Friday alleging the Centre was not implementing the decision to transfer its services secretary, a potential flashpoint in the running feud between the two. The city's AAP government said the Centre may be held liable for contempt of court. "The L-G has already said that he does not believe in the Supreme Court. Today, he refused to accept the order of the chief justice of India as well," Singh alleged. "This way a constitutional crisis will arise. The SC judgment is very clear. Except for land, law and order, and police, the L-G is bound to follow the decision of the Delhi Government on all other subjects," he said. The

Delhi excise scam: Court extends Sisodia's judicial custody till June 2

A Delhi court on Friday extended till June 2 the judicial custody of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a corruption case related to the alleged excise scam. Special Judge MK Nagpal extended Sisodia's custody after the former Delhi deputy chief minister was produced before the court on expiry of his judicial custody. The court had on March 31 dismissed Sisodia's bail application, saying he was "prima facie the architect" of the criminal conspiracy behind alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government. The CBI had arrested Sisodia for alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy, 2021-22.

AAP govt, LG office should work with coordination to serve people: Official

With the Supreme Court clarifying the Constitutional position on the control over services matter in Delhi, the elected AAP government and the office of Lt Governor should now work with "dignity and coordination" to serve the people of Delhi, several former and serving bureaucrats said on Thursday. According to former Delhi government chief secretary Ramesh Negi the administrative setup in the city comprises "two wills" -- one is the will of the President expressed through the Lt Governor, and the second is the will of the people represented by the elected government. "We expect that after the constitutional position on the services matter has been cleared by the Supreme Court, one should not go for positioning this way or that in the interest of the people of the Delhi. There should be synergy between the two sides for greater good of Delhi and its people," he said. The former Delhi Chief secretary said "dignity and coordination" between the elected government and the office of LG

AAP calls SC verdict on services row 'tight slap' on mission to topple govt

The AAP on Thursday termed the Supreme Court's verdict on the Centre-Delhi services row a "tight slap" on the mission to topple governments through "unconstitutional ways" while Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the judgment will ensure increased pace of development. The chief minister also expressed his "heartfelt thanks" to the Supreme Court for "doing justice to the people of Delhi". Following the top court verdict, Kejriwal has called a meeting with his cabinet ministers. In a unanimous verdict, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over services. Welcoming the verdict, the AAP said in a tweet in Hindi, "The elected government will have the power of transfer-posting of officers. Officers will work only through the elected government." The Lt Governor will have no power over the officers to stop the work of the people of Delhi, the party said. Gopal Rai, the state convener of the AAP's Delhi unit, said at a press .

Jalandhar bypoll sees nearly 50% turnout, AAP legislator arrested

Amid clashes and arrest of a AAP legislator, nearly 50 per cent of 16.21 lk electorate cast votes to decide the fate of 19 candidates in the fray for Jalandhar (reserved) parliamentary constituency

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Chhattisgarh liquor scam case: ED should arrest CM Baghel, says AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded that the Enforcement Directorate arrest Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and probe his role in the alleged liquor scam in the state. The federal agency on Saturday arrested liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar, in connection with the alleged scam. In its remand application filed in a special court, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had claimed that there was a "massive scam" in the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh by a syndicate, comprising high-level state government officials, private persons and political executives. It also claimed that the scam generated corruption money of more than Rs 2,000 crore between 2019-22. "Such a massive scam is not possible without a nexus from bottom to top. To run such a syndicate, the blessings of a big political leader are required. The pattern of the scam directly points fingers at the chief minister of the state," Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Del

Excise policy case desperate attempt by BJP to malign AAP: Kejriwal

The excise policy case is a desperate attempt by the BJP to "malign an honest party like the AAP", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. His remarks came after a Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to two accused in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The court said the evidence against the accused, Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra, was not sufficient for the case against them to be considered prima facie "genuine". In a tweet, Kejriwal said, "The whole liquor scam is false. We were saying it from beginning. Now even courts have started saying it. It's a desperate measure by BJP to malign an honest party like AAP." Reacting to the court order, the AAP had said on Saturday that it showed that the entire case is "bogus", and asked the BJP to tender an apology for levelling false allegations. The BJP, however,

Court order in Delhi excise policy matter shows this case is bogus: AAP

The AAP on Sunday demanded that the BJP tender an apology to it for levelling false allegations against the party in connection with the excise policy case following a court granting bail to two accused in the matter. Addressing a press conference, AAP senior leader and Cabinet minister Atishi said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has levelled two allegations that Rs 100 crore kickbacks were received from liquor businessesmen and the money was used in Goa elections. "Yesterday, the Rouse Avenue court granted bail to Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra. The court order said no evidence had been kept forth by the ED showing any cash payment for bribe or kickbacks. The order said the ED attached some vague statements by witnesses," she added. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the entire case is "bogus" and only meant to malign his party. "Now even Court has said that there is no material evidence of any kickback or money laundering. We have been saying right from beginni

Excise policy case: court grants bail to 2; AAP demands BJP's apology

The AAP on Sunday demanded that the BJP tender an apology to it for levelling false allegations against the party in connection with the excise policy case following a court granting bail to two accused in the matter. Addressing a press conference, AAP senior leader and Cabinet minister Atishi said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has levelled two allegations that Rs 100 crore kickbacks were received from liquor businessesmen and the money was used in Goa elections. "Yesterday, the Rouse Avenue court granted bail to Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra. The court order said no evidence had been kept forth by the ED showing any cash payment for bribe or kickbacks. The order said the ED attached some vague statements by witnesses," she added. The ED has claimed that Joshi, a vendor, ensured that Rs 30 crore reached Goa for elections, but the order noted there was "no independent evidence to corroborate this fact". "This order proves that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the most honest party

Will make big disclosure on ongoing Delhi Excise policy scam case: AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will make a "big disclosure" on the ongoing Delhi Excise policy scam case on Sunday afternoon, Delhi Minister Atishi said

Delhi BJP launches 'Jhootha Kahin Ka' campaign against AAP's Kejriwal

The Delhi BJP flagged off 14 special vans on Saturday under its "Jhootha Kahin Ka" campaign against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said these vehicles will travel across the city and show a 27-minute video on the "lies and U-turns" of the AAP chief in the last eight years. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the vans will visit 4,200 places over the next four weeks. The BJP has renewed its attack on the AAP, alleging a "scam" in the renovation of Kejriwal's official residence 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines at a cost of Rs 45 crore. It has alleged that expenditure under various heads was deliberately kept below Rs 10 crore to bypass the lieutenant governor's scrutiny. It has demanded Kejriwal's resignation and asked him to open his residence to people to let them see what lied inside. The AAP has accused the BJP of raising this matter to divert attention from key issues. It has also cited the expenses on residences of the prime minister and the chief ministers of t

Why can't common people have free power, healthcare benefits: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday dismissed the criticism that the AAP government was doling out freebies, asking why can't common people get free power and healthcare when similar benefits are extended to elected representatives. Launching 80 more Aam Aadmi Clinics with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, he said these health facilities have helped the government in preparing a database of diseases prevalent in Punjab and combating them effectively. More than 25.60 lakh people have benefited from these clinics, he added. Mann said opponents target AAP for giving free power, free treatment and free education to people. "We say when leaders get free power, when exchequer bears all their medical expenses, why cannot it be done for the common people too," he said. With the launch of the new clinics, the total number of these health facilities in Punjab has reached 580. Speaking at the event, Kejriwal said an "honest government" in Punjab is making opponents jittery. "

Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal has transformed into Sultan of Delhi: BJP

The BJP on Friday alleged AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has transformed from a "common man" to the "Sultan of Delhi" with his Rs 45 crore house makeover. The party also deferred an indefinite protest it had earlier announced it will hold outside the Chief Minister's house over the allegations that he spent the inordinate sum on the renovation of his official residence. No reaction was immediately available from the Aam Aadmi Party over the BJP's protest and charges on Kejriwal. Kejriwal should open the door of his "palace" to the people of Delhi, otherwise the door of law will open for him, said Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi, as she alleged that Kejriwal renovated his 6-Flagstaff Road house in Civil Lines area without proper permission. BJP had announced the dharna to open the doors of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "Raj Mahal" for the public to see what was there, but now that a TV channel has shown the inside of the bungalow to the public, the dharna is being deferred, said Ramv