Exclusive/ Union Minister Anurag Thakur Lambasts AAP Over Its 'Double Standards'

New Delhi: Union Minister for Information & Brocasting Anurag Thakur on Wednesday lambasted Aam Ami Party (AAP) over its “double standards” as he evoked Punjab Chief minister and AAP leer Bhagwant Mann's earlier remarks wherein AAP leer h called Congress “a party of corrupt”, while asserting that Arvind Kejriwal-led party wouldn't form an alliance with m [ Congress], and how – in a U-turn of sorts –   AAP dispensation ultimately ended up doing exact opposite of it in Delhi by forging an “alliance of convenience” with same Congress Party.

“It is an alliance of corrupt people and now question really is wher y have alrey accepted defeat before elections?”, Thakur quipped, while speaking exclusively with Republic TV.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that Mann has written to Tihar jail ministration, seeking permission to meet with Kejriwal. letter was sent by Chief Minister's Office (CMO), news agency PTI reported, citing party sources.

“If y win, it is because of Rahul Gandhi, and if y lose poll battle, n that is because of faulty EVMs”, Thakur said in an apparent satire aimed at Congress leer Rahul Gandhi.

Stressing that y [ Opposition bloc] have stooped down to unimaginable levels in a bid to win elections, BJP leer furr said, “y formed an alliance with a party which is not good for country... y meet with leers who talk against country”.

Citing AAP's slogan: ‘India Against Corruption’, Thakur underlined how Kejriwal, who h once rallied against Congress over its corrupt practices, is himself behind bars today in connection with a Delhi Excise policy-linked money laundering case. “Today entire party [AAP] itself is corrupt…Kejriwal h once demanded that Sonia Gandhi be put behind bars, and now y [AAP chief along with his party leers] – are often seen shaking hands with same party [Congress] that reeks of Parivaarva", BJP leer furr said while delivering stinging remarks against “corrupt and dynasts” who'd taken to podium during several rallies organised by opposition-led INDI bloc in run up to biggest poll battle of year – Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Highlighting that AAP's next plan is to launch Rabri Devi 2.0, minister said, “INDI has me a joke out of democracy”. 

In a visibly-sharp dig at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, Thakur, who is also Youth Affairs & Sports Minister in Modi-government, said, “We have covered journey of 'Swaraj' to 'Sharab' [from free water to free liquor now] under AAP dispensation in Delhi, in no time”. 

Notably, Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21 in Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. case pertains to alleged irregularities in formulation and implementation of Delhi government's excise policy 2021-22 that was later scrapped.

Stressing furr that people of Delhi are now able to see a clearer picture, BJP leer said, “No chief has ever pleed guilty”, ding, “According to m, if ED arrests m, n ED only is wrong”.

With AAP leers alrey lodged in jail for about a year-and-a-half, and now sitting chief minister also put behind bars in alleged scam only point towards one thing: allegations are serious, Thakur asserted. Kejriwal is in judicial custody till April 15.

Both Congress and AAP have, on several occasions, tried to build pressure on all central agencies, including Election Commission of India (ECI), he said, ding that re is no one left who hasn't been fooled by m.

Last month, ED h informed Delhi High Court that Kejriwal was "kingpin" and "key conspirator" of "excise scam" and re were "reasons to believe" on basis of material in its possession that he was guilty of offence of money laundering.