"Zero-tolerance on corruption": BJP hauls AAP over coals after arrest of Sanjay Singh in Delhi excise case

New Delhi [India], October 4 : Asserting his party's policy of zero-tolerance on corruption, BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore on Wednesday hit out at the AAP over the arrest of Sanjay Singh by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe into the now-withdrawn Delhi excise policy case.
The BJP's national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, too, came down heavily on the ruling AAP, reminding them how they took their first steps in politics as the disciples of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare.
"The BJP has been clear on its policy of zero-tolerance on corruption. Your name has Aam Aadmi (ordinary) but you work for 'Khaas Aadmi' (privileged people). Agencies like the ED are doing their jobs," the BJP leader told ANI.
"Whether it is 2014 or 2023, we will always adhere to our principles. The people of Delhi as well as other parts of the country want to know why the APP waived off the Rs 150 crore tender fee in the Delhi excise case. Where did the money go?" the BJP leader added.
In a video message, Poonawalla said, "First they indulge in scams and make it part of the system. Then they play the victim card and cry political vendetta after their leaders are arrested. They consider corruption to be their birthright."
"Just see how much they (AAP) have changed. They started their political journey as disciples of Anna Hazare and would accuse others of corruption without any chargesheet and FIR," he added.
He added that the AAP leaders still call themselves "Kattar Imaandaar" (strictly honest) despite their leaders being arrested in corruption cases and chargesheets filed.
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Singh in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-withdrawn new excise policy of Delhi, officials said.
It was the second high-profile arrest in the case after former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.
The arrest came hours after the ED conducted raids at the residence of the AAP Rajya Sabha MP in connection with the case.
Earlier, in May, Sanjay Singh, in a letter to Finance Secretary TV Somanathan, said the ED director and assistant director deliberately linked his name to the alleged liquor scam without any basis, tarnishing his public image and defaming him.
Singh mentioned that his name was added on the basis of statements from Dinesh Arora. The AAP leader alleged further that the officers misused their position to tarnish his public image and demanded prosecution against them.
He added that he had already sent a legal notice to the officers concerned to issue an open and public apology.
According to ED sources, the name of the AAP leader appears four times in the ED chargesheet, one of which was typed inadvertently. At one place Sanjay Singh's name was mentioned instead of Rahul Singh, who was the then excise commissioner.