Adarsh Shastri, former legislator from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and grandson of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, launched a blistering critique against his former party and its national convener, Arvind Kejriwal.
Shastri, who has now aligned with the Congress party, made startling revelations about AAP’s fundraising activities from Sikh separatist abroad, alleging that Kejriwal turned a blind eye to concerns raised about accepting funds from Gurdwaras associated with figures like Bhindranwale and Operation Bluestar terrorists during his overseas visits.
In an exclusive interview with news agency IANS, Shastri expressed dismay over Kejriwal’s alleged indifference towards such sensitive issues, stating that despite raising concerns along with fellow AAP member Kumar Vishwas, their warnings were ignored. Shastri’s remarks hinted at potential implications, leaving interpretations open to the audience.
IANS Exclusive
''When I was an MLA, I also managed overseas work for the Aam Aadmi Party. While visiting Gurdwaras in Canada and Germany with Kumar Vishwas Ji, I was disturbed to see photos of Bhindranwale and Operation Bluestar terrorists. Despite discussing this with Vishwas… pic.twitter.com/hLh9vbEsRX
— IANS (@ians_india) May 25, 2024
Shastri didn’t stop there; he went on to criticize Kejriwal’s leadership style, accusing him of exhibiting megalomaniac tendencies.
According to Shastri, Kejriwal’s demeanor often showed a disregard for engaging with party legislators or public representatives, a behavior he deemed beneath the chief minister’s dignity.
The former AAP legislator also seized the opportunity to condemn the Delhi government’s handling of a recent incident involving the assault of the party’s serving Rajya Sabha MP, Swati Maliwal, inside the Chief Minister’s residence.
Shastri lamented the apparent decline in AAP’s commitment to women’s empowerment, highlighting the stark contrast between the party’s former rhetoric and the reality of a high-profile assault within its ranks.
Shastri didn’t mince words when addressing Kejriwal’s response to the Maliwal assault case, labeling his initial silence as baffling and criticizing the subsequent deployment of the party’s ‘troll army’ to defend Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, instead of prioritizing justice for Maliwal. He emphasized Kumar’s significant impact within the CM’s office, painting a picture of a gatekeeper with considerable sway over access to Kejriwal and the agenda of discussions.
In response to speculation about tensions between Sunita Kejriwal, the CM’s wife, and Swati Maliwal, Shastri refrained from confirming any personal knowledge but underscored Kejriwal’s responsibility in ensuring the safety of individuals within his residence.
ALSO READ: “AAP MP Alleges Assault by Kejriwal’s Aide in His Presence; Contradicts CM’s Statement”
Furthermore, he rebuked the Kejriwal government for its perceived failure to adequately address women’s security concerns in the capital, pointing out lapses in utilizing funds allocated for this purpose, such as the Nirbhaya Fund.
Shastri attributed the exodus of top leaders and founding members from AAP to Kejriwal’s alleged double standards and inconsistency on various issues, underscoring a deepening rift within the party’s core.
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