New Delhi: Addressing a damage control press conference, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Yogendra Yadav today said that the party has complained to the Election Commission over the alleged operation carried out by a media portal.
Alleging that the tapes were doctored, AAP claimed that relevant portions of the tapes have been edited to suit vested interests. The party has also urged the poll panel to stop the circulation and telecast of the 'sting', said Yogendra Yadav.
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A formal case will be filed by AAP activist and lawyer Prashanth Bhushan on Monday against the media portal.
Earlier, the web site that conducted a sting operation had said that it would not hand over raw footage of the incident to AAP.
Chief Executive Officer of the web portal mediasarkar.com, Anuranjan Jha, was quoted by various television channels, as saying: " We will not hand over the tape to the AAP. Representatives of AAP can come to our offices to see the footage. The AAP is under public scrutiny now. What are the grounds for handing over the tape to the AAP."
The AAP, however, claimed that the tapes have been doctored and insisted on the raw footage of the sting operation being handed over to them, failing which, it said it would launch legal proceedings against mediasarkar.com.
AAP leader Yogendra Yadav told a press conference here that the alleged tapes seem to be "doctored", adding "we want the whole truth to be out."
"We had sent a letter and email asking Anuranjan Jha for the raw footage of the sting. But he has not responded," Yadav said.
A controversial sting operation has alleged that several AAP leaders, at least eight of them, were contacted for their help in the recovery of money from individuals and getting land deals done, and they readily agreed to extend their support in return of donations in cash to the AAP.
AAP leader Shazia Ilmi, who was one of the people nailed in the sting operation, today offered to withdraw her candidature from Delhi Assembly elections after the sting operation came to the light.
"It is an extremely important fight for the AAP. But because of the underhand shoddy sting operation, I will not allow my party's image to be sullied. I offer to withdraw my candidature and not contest elections until and unless my name is cleared", Ilmi said.
Dismissing the sting operation as a conspiracy against his party, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal said he knew who were behind it, as BJP and Congress have been routed by AAP.
In a bid to pacify the whole situation, Kejriwal said on a microblogging website Twitter: "Some sting ops done on our candidates. Our team, including Sanj Singh n Yog Yadav, looking into it. We will not spare if anyone is guilty (sic)."
He further vowed not to compromise on the issue of corruption.
Yadav further requested the media to verify the authenticity of the CD before showing it on channels.
AAP forms committee to probe matter
New Delhi: Embarrassed by a sting operation purportedly showing senior leaders "raising funds through illegal means," Aam Aadmi Party today said it has formed a committee to probe the matter and is mulling legal action against the web portal.
The Kejriwal-led party has called an emergency meeting and formed a committee, which include Political Affairs Committee (PAC) members Yogendra Yadva and Sanjay Singh to probe the matter. The PAC of AAP has decided to review the evidence presented to the public and take a decision on this issue within the next 24 hours.
A sting operation, conducted by web portal Media Sarkar, alleged that several leaders of AAP, including party's candidate from R K Puram Assembly Constituency Shazia Ilmi and Kumar Vishwas, who were contacted for their help in recovery of money from individuals and getting land deals done, readily agreed to extend their support in return for donations in cash to AAP.
According to sources, facing attack from all sides over the sting, the party is also mulling legal recourse and if needed, will move the court against the portal. The PAC has requested everyone named in the CD to present their version.
The party in a statement had said that "AAP had entered the electoral arena with a mission to clean politics. The party has come into being on the basis of a popular movement against corruption. It is committed to upholding the highest values in public life." AAP has assured the electors of Delhi that if there is any credible evidence of corruption, criminality or dubious character against any of its 70 candidates, the party shall withdraw its support to that candidate even if we have to leave the seat vacant, it said.
"AAP takes serious view of these allegations. We have been the target of a spate of allegations in the last one week or so. The timing and nature of these allegations suggest that these are motivated. It is not surprising that a party that seeks to redefine moral standards in politics is being collectively targeted by powerful vested interests, including the big parties, some corrupt sections of the media and corporate," the statement said. Nevertheless, AAP owes an explanation to the nation for every serious allegation, irrespective of its source or the motives, it said.
