New Delhi, April 3 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday criticised Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying the party has become only about "one individual" and that somebody "with a sense of truth" cannot stay with him.
The reaction came a day after the AAP removed MP Raghav Chadha as its current Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha and replaced him with another Punjab MP, Ashok Mittal. The party has also reportedly urged the Secretariat not to allot time to the incumbent deputy leader.
Talking to IANS, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said: "This clearly shows that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is no longer a party of the common people, but has become a party of one individual, Arvind Kejriwal. As long as people continue to flatter him, they remain in the party."
Khandelwal further accused the AAP chief of being egoistic and arrogant.
"The basis on which the Aam Aadmi Party was formed, today, where are those issues? Has Arvind Kejriwal forgotten about them? In the greed for power, Arvind Kejriwal has left all those issues. He's a person filled with ego and arrogance. Only one who can tolerate his arrogance can stay with him. Raghav Chadha is not the first person; before him, there has been a long list of people who were removed from AAP by Arvind Kejriwal," he alleged.
The BJP MP refused to comment on the rumours of Chadha joining his party.
"Only time will tell what Raghav Chadha will do next, but it is obvious that AAP has made a distance from him."
Speaking to IANS, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra also echoed a similar view.
"This is just a fight over looted goods. First, Delhi was looted, then Punjab, and now these thieves have started fighting among themselves. The point is, anyone with a conscience or integrity cannot stay with Kejriwal."
"Only those without integrity, corrupt, commission-seeking, or with malicious intent can remain. Anyone with a sense of truth cannot be with Kejriwal," he added.
Chadha, on Friday, finally broke his silence on the issue with a strong reaction.
Taking to X, he stated: "Silenced, not defeated. My message to the ‘aam aadmi’: Khamosh Karwaya Gaya Hun, Hara Nahi Hun. 'Aam Aadmi Ko Mera Sandesh."
Reacting to the statement, Mishra said: "I just want to say this, if you are coming out from there, tell the public the truth. Sharing personal grievances won’t help."
Moreover, the Delhi Minister accused AAP of corruption and making "deals" with Khalistani terrorists in Punjab.
"Talk about the looting and dirty games in Delhi, the deals the Aam Aadmi Party made with Khalistani terrorists in Punjab, the corruption in the drug trade, and the deception of the public. Raise the issues that matter to the people because they are already aware of everything."
Meanwhile, Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh told IANS: "It’s a party affair. Any party has the right to decide its leadership, who to appoint and who to relieve of responsibilities. Such exercises happen routinely in all parties."
AAP MP Malwinder Singh Kang defended the decision taken by the party leadership.
"It is a decision taken by the party. Earlier, too leaders have been appointed."
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