Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Minister Sandeep Kumar was on Wednesday sacked by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal half an hour after a CD with "objectionable" content was delivered to his office around 8 p.m.
The CD allegedly showed 34-year-old Kumar, who is the youngest minister in the Cabinet, in a compromising position with two women and also contained 11 photographs. The nine-minute video on the CD had reportedly been leaked to some TV channels, following which it was sent to Kejriwal for reactions.
A meeting was held at Kejriwal's bungalow at night to decide the further course of action and also the replacement for the minister of Women and Child Development, Language and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.
Some believe that AAP has had possession of the CD for days but sacked Kumar only after media broke the news.
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Kejriwal responded to allegations saying that "Sandeep betrayed the party" and that the party would take action against him once the investigation was over. He added that the party had "acted against ministers" and did not cover up the issue.
Kumar responded to the allegations saying: "I am paying price of being a Dalit. I am not in that video.Investigation must be done about video. Like Eklavya was pulled down, when people from our community rise some plot is hatched to destroy us. The plot was hatched ever since I installed Dr Ambedkar's statue. Even ABP says they can't vouch for authenticity of tape. It is media trial. I am from Valmiki community, that's why this plot," ANI reported.
AAP Convenor Kejriwal tweeted saying:
Recd "objectionable" CD of minister Sandeep Kr. AAP stands for propriety in public life. That can't be compromised(1/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 31, 2016
Removing him from Cabinet wid immediate effect(2/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 31, 2016
Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) held a demonstration outside the chief minister's bungalow at 11 a.m. Water cannons have also been used on the protestors.
Delhi: BJP protest outside CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence, on Sandeep Kumar issue. Water cannon used on protesters. pic.twitter.com/8MeUNyeOHa
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 1, 2016
Delhi: BJP protest outside CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence, on Sandeep Kumar issue pic.twitter.com/TrCCZ9tHm1 — ANI (@ANI_news) September 1, 2016
"The Delhi CM found an objectionable CD involving Sandeep Kumar. Within half an hour, action was taken. The minister was removed. AAP is a party of ideals. It has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption, scandals... Ministers found taking bribes were removed immediately as soon as it was found. Action will be taken swiftly against any member irrespective of status or position," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters.
"Chief Minister Kejriwal must resign for burdening Delhi with the most morally corrupt cabinet. Three out of six ministers removed in last one year and dozens of MLAs booked," BJP leader Vijendra Gupta was quoted by NDTV as saying.
"The AAP always implements ideals of purity and cleanliness in public life. It is very sad that such allegations have surfaced. Even earlier, whether it was a matter of corruption or crime, the firmness AAP has shown is commendable," AAP leader Kumar Vishwas was quoted by the Financial Express as saying.
Kumar, who had met Kejriwal during the India Against Corruption movement in 2011, had claimed that he "touched his wife's feet every morning for the sacrifices she had made for him" when he took oath as Cabinet Minister.
He was also reprimanded by Kejriwal when he had initiated the "anti-begging" drive in Delhi.
"Most inhuman and futile exercise that social welfare department could think of. I am directing them to stop it immediately," Kejriwal had tweeted.
Kumar is the third AAP member to be sacked. Asim Ahmed Khan was sacked following corruption allegations, while Jitender Singh Tomar for allegedly submitting fake degree certificates.
