Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders from Uttar Pradesh were expelled from the party on Friday for demanding money in exchange of party tickets for the Lok Sabha polls.
The decision to expel Avadh zone convener Aruna Singh and Hardoi’s treasurer Ashok Kumar was taken after the party received an audio clip as evidence from an aspirant, Rajesh Kumar, from Misrikh constituency in Uttar Pradesh. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said that party has been receiving complaints about the duo seeking money in lieu of giving party tickets for Lok Sabha elections, but this time there was strong evidence to prove the charges. “We found that these two people asked for money from some people and promised them tickets. No kind of financial transaction has been made, but talks happened and party has decided to expel them,” he told reporters at a press conference held at his Tilak Lane residence here.
According to party sources, Rajesh Kumar alleged that money was being taken in exchange of tickets and did a sting but initially the voice was not clear and he was asked to send the fresh video clip. The fresh clip clearly proves involvement of the two.
The party appealed to people not to pay money and inform senior party leaders immediately if they were asked to pay money for getting the party ticket. He said that whosoever paid money for the ticket should assume that their money will be wasted and ticket of the candidate who pays money will also be cancelled.
“I request the media and people to conduct sting if anyone asks money in lieu of giving ticket of the AAP and send it to us and we will take strict action. There is no place for corrupt people in this party and we will expel such people within 24 hours,” he said, adding that the party has received many such complaints and is looking into the evidences.
Kejriwaldismissed the allegations that former Delhi Minister Rakhi Birla, who replaced northwest Delhi candidate Mahender Singh, demanded Rs 7 lakh from Singh for campaigning.