The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been fined a handsome amount of money, about 163.62 crores, which must be paid within ten days, for allegedly publicising political advertisements of its party in Delhi as government messages.
Accordingly, a recovery notice was issued by the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP), warning the party to pay as soon as possible or else its office will be sealed.
The notice read: “A final opportunity is hereby given to reimburse the amount of 163,61,88,265/- (Rs one hundred and sixty-three crores, sixty-one lakh, eighty-eight thousand, two hundred and sixty-five only) by depositing the said amount in the account details given below within 10 days of the issuing of this notice, failing which further necessary action as per law will be taken in this matter.”
Meanwhile, discarding the allegations, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused Lt. Governor VK Saxena and the BJP of targeting his party.
Previously, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had ordered a probe against the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, claiming a fine of 97 crores for “running political advertisements under the guise of government advertisements.”
Furthermore, AAP’s chief spokesperson, Saurabh Bhardwaj, termed the Lieutenant Governor’s order a “new love letter.”
“The BJP is flustered that we have become a national party and wrested power from it in the MCD. LG Sahab is doing everything in accordance with the BJP’s directions, and that is troubling the people of Delhi. The more concerned Delhi residents are, the happier the BJP becomes,” Mr. Bhardwaj added.
