Chhotepur on his ‘way out’

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24

After surfacing of a video clip showing Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur allegedly accepting cash, the party has decided to remove Chhotepur from the post, it is learnt.

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AAP’s legal cell incharge and candidate from Mohali Himmat Singh Shergill is likely to be the new state convener.

A senior AAP leader said the leadership had been getting complaints regarding Chhotepur’s conduct over the past few months. “However, we didn’t have any evidence. But some time back we came across the clip in which he is seen accepting cash,” said the senior leader, not wishing to be named.

He said the clip showing “Chhotepur accepting cash from a party worker” was reported first by a Punjabi radio in North America.

He said when national convener Arvind Kejriwal, upon his return from a meditation course in Dharamsala, was shown the clip, he was furious and suggested Chhotepur’s expulsion. The issue was discussed by AAP’s Political Affairs Committee on August 13, which decided to give Chhotepur a chance to defend himself.

He said when Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia confronted Chhotepur on August 19, the latter “accepted his mistake” and assured to not repeat the action. “We also have a recording of it.”

He said a formal announcement will be made within a couple of days. “First of all he will be removed from the post and there are provisions to suspend him or cancel his primary membership,” he said.