AAP expels Delhi legislator

Vinod Kumar Binny, who had called Chief Minister Kejriwal a “liar and dictator”, expelled from party.

Kejriwal says Binny turned a rebel after he had rejected his request to contest upcoming parliamentary polls [Reuters]

Delhi’s ruling Aam Admi (Common Man’s) Party has expelled its elected legislator, Vinod Kumar Binny, for “making false statements” against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and criticising party policies.

Binny had called Kejriwal “a dictator and a liar” two weeks ago.

He had also publicly accused the AAP party of not delivering on its poll promises and deviating from its principles.

AAP’s disciplinary committee announced on Sunday that it expelled Binny and terminated his party membership. A statement from the committee said Binny was expelled for “publicly making false statements against the party and its leadership, thereby bringing disrepute to the party”.     

On January 16 Binny had attacked the AAP at a press conference saying the party did “not function democratically” and “If anyone speaks against him (Kejriwal), he starts shouting”.

Following his expulsion Binny, who had defeated a senior Congress leader in the December elections said, “It is unfortunate to remove a person who spoke about the problems of Delhi”. 

Mounting criticism

The AAP has come under mounting media criticism over the past few weeks over what has been portrayed as “misconduct” by several of its leaders.

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas has been accused of making “racist” remarks and jokes.

Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti has been accused of “racist slurs” and “sexist” remarks against African nationals in Delhi.

Binny had criticised the AAP, following the rape of a Danish national in Delhi, on January 14. “AAP should be ashamed for not providing security for women,” he had declared.

Kejriwal had earlier accused Binny for pressing for a seat to contest the parliamentary elections in May. Binny denied it as a lie.

Despite Binny’s expulsion, the AAP will continue to stay in power with Congress support, minus one legislator of its own.

Source: Al Jazeera