The crisis within the AAP took a new turn today with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Keriwal's cabinet colleague and Health Minister Satyendar Jain filing a defamation case against sacked Waters Minister Kapil Mishra. So far, both the chief minister and Jain have chosen not to give a direct response to Mishra's allegations that began with him claiming that he personally saw Jain give Rs 2 crore in cash to Kejriwal.
Equally, Mishra's removal from the cabinet was approved by the President of India. Kejriwal also received the approval to expand his cabinet, and appoint Kailash Gahlot and Rajendra Pal Gautam as ministers in the government.
Mishra, meanwhile, held a press conference and alleged that Kejriwal raised funds for the AAP through hawala operators. He also maintained that Kejriwal had opposed the demonetisation move because he had lots of cash.
“Why did he travel across the country to oppose demonetisation? It was to protect his men who hoarded his black money, and they were being raided by enforcement agencies,” Mishra states.
The AAP as an organisation appears to be learning its lessons the hard way. After a detailed introspection, the party has decided to restructure its units at the booth level and hold a state level convention of Sunday.
