BJP protests outside CM residence, demands AAP min’s expulsion

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Scores of BJP members today stageda protest outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal demanding expulsion of sacked cabinet ministerSandeep Kumar from AAP over an ‘objectionable’ CD in which hewas purportedly shown in a compromising position with a woman. Raising slogans against Kejriwal and Kumar and waving BJPflags, party workers tried to march towards the ChiefMinister’s residence in Civil Lines area, but were stoppedclose to it by the police, which barricaded their entry. Several partymen tried to cross over the barricade butwere thwarted as police resorted to use of water cannons. "We demand this AAP minister’s (Sandeep Kumar) expulsionfrom the party on moral grounds. Previously too, few ministershave been sacked over one controversy or another, and thisagain shows the face of Aam Aadmi Party," a BJP leader said. Kumar, who held the portfolio of Social Welfare, wasyesterday sacked by the Chief Minister over the’objectionable’ CD in which he was purportedly shown in acompromising position with a woman. He is an MLA from Sultanpur Majra, a reserved seat, and afew locals also protested outside his residence and officeover the controversial issue. In a televised address today, Kejriwal said he was"saddened" by the incident but also felt "proud" that hisparty took immediate action and "did not try to put a veil onit or defend the accused, unlike what other political partiesdo." Reacting to the development, Delhi BJP had yesterdaydemanded Kejriwal’s resignation from his post acceptingresponsibility for picking up a "morally corrupt" MLA in theCabinet. "He must be rewarded for handing over Delhi’s governanceto people with corrupt values," city BJP leader Vijender Guptahad said mockingly, adding, "This has never happened in anygovernment." Meanwhile, Kumar, who also held the portfolio of Womenand Child development, today alleged that he was beingtargeted under a "conspiracy" as he was a Dalit and demanded aprobe into the issue. PTI KNDRT