CM Kejriwal faces anger, jibes over Majithia apology

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday came under attack from several quarters over his apology to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia for accusing him of being involved in drug trade.

Union minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that Mr Kejri-wal’s apology has exposed the “low level of politics” adopted by the AAP.

“A classic example of a smear campaign run by them (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab by spreading false propaganda. They built the entire momentum of their election campaign (in Punjab) on lies... He (Kejriwal) stands thoroughy exposed,” she said.

Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken accused Mr Kejriwal of working hand-in-glove with Mr Majithia for giving him clean chit in a defamation case related to drug trade allegations.

A day after Mr Kejriwal issued an apology to Mr Majithia for having levelled “unfounded” allegations related to drugs trade, Mr Maken said his action clearly indicated he was helping the Punjab leader. The Special Task Force (STF) had told the court that prima facie there was sufficient evidence on record to further investigate the role of the SAD leader as regards the allegations made in the application under inquiry.

Mr Maken said that the timing of Mr Kejriwal’s apology raises serious questions as the STF had submitted its report in the court on the same day. He added that it was Mr Kejriwal’s habit to first raise allegations for political mileage and then offer apology.

“He had recently apologised to Haryana leader Avtar Singh Badana and had withdrawn his case against Union minister Nitin Gadgari,” he said.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said Mr Kejriwal’s apology proves that he is a “big time liar.” He said that the CM was more interested in hogging headlines by indulging in “mud-slinging” and “character assassination” of his rivals than addressing pressing issues like sealing drive.

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said Mr Kejriwal’s apology amou-nted to “murder of AAP in Punjab”. “I feel Kejriwal has murdered AAP in Punjab... With what face will they speak against drugs in Punjab now?” he asked.

On Thursday, Mr Kejriwal surprised one and all by issuing an apology to Mr Majithia.

Talking to reporters, Mr Majithia said he was grateful that truth had won and Mr Kejriwal had realised his mistake.