Sandeep Dikshit slams AAP over liquor scam, calls party "Car-o-Bar"

New Delhi [India], January 15 : Congress candidate from New Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit on Wednesday attacked Aam Aadmi Party over the party leaders' alleged involvement in the liquor scam case and pointed out that the court itself saying that AAP hiding the CAG report indicates their 'dishonesty.'
Taking a jab at the credibility of the AAP leaders, Sandeep Dikshit said that the party had become a Car-o-Bar.
"When we used to visit places where luxurious cars were parked, there was often a sign that read 'Car-o-Bar.' Now, AAP is in a similar situation--Car bhi, Bar bhi, aur Car-o-Bar bhi," said Dikshit.
He further said, "AAP have become so entangled in these issues that it is saddening. Arvind Kejriwal who once inspired so much hope to the people now finds himself caught in such a mess that it's hard to recognise whether he ever spoke out against corruption."
Sandeep Dikshit responded to the Centre's nod to the Enforcement Directorate to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in an alleged liquor scam case.
"There is no surprise in this. 2-4 days ago a CAG report came in which said that there was a scam of 2,000 crores in 6 months. This means that if that policy was not stopped after the Congress complaint and it continued for 4 years, then there would have been a loss of 4,000 crores in one year and 16-17,000 crores in four years," he said.
"When such a big corruption takes place and you give a benefit of 15-16000 crores to the private sector, to the contractors, and if even 10 per cent is considered in it, then also 1,200, 1,500 crores would have been taken away from here, then it is obvious that the one who helps receives the benefit too. So we knew there was a case to be made on this," said Dikshit.
"The court itself said that Kejriwal hiding the CAG report reflects the party's dishonesty. Till date the court has not called any government dishonest," he added.
This comes after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved sanction to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the excise policy case.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday expressed confidence over his party's victory in the upcoming Delhi polls saying, 'AAP-da' will end on February 5 and BJP will have success.
Speaking to media, Puri said, "On February 5, 'AAP-da' will end and BJP will have success in Delhi, our candidate Ramesh Bidhuri will win. There is an anti-incumbency wave."
Hardeep Puri questioned Arvind Kejriwal's redibility, citing his broken promises and corruption.
"Yamuna has been turned into a drain. Look at the air quality, look at the condition of roads. Secondly, Arvind Kejriwal's credibility is low. He had said that he will not buy a car, but the RTI reply shows that Delhi government has spent Rs 1.5 crore on Arvind Kejriwal's cars. Rs 50 lakh was spent on Manish Sisodia's cars. Third is their personal corruption. Our party will decide who will be our CM," he added.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already announced its candidates for all 70 assembly seats. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its candidates for 59 seats.
The last date for filing nominations is January 17. The date for scrutiny of nominations is January 18. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20.
The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat.
In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats.