After Kejriwal's apology to Majithia, AAP members are raising red flags
In a departure from his usual argumentative demeanour, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has issued an apology to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, almost two years after the latter filed a defamation case against him. Kejriwal had earlier alleged the SAD leader’s involvement in drug trade in Punjab. The AAP supremo withdrew his allegations and filed an application regarding the same at a trial court in Amritsar.
The Delhi CM acknowledged, "In the recent past, I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now, I've learnt that the allegations are unfounded," adding, "there should be no politics on such issues. I hereby withdraw all my statements and allegations made against you and apologise for the same".
Majithia responded to the apology with grace: "I thank Kejriwal for showing greatness in seeking apology for his remarks made against me. I have told my lawyers that from our side, this case ends as Kejriwal has sought apology..."
But while the SAD leader and the AAP chief have made peace, Kejriwal’s party members have not taken too kindly to his move. Bhagwant Mann, upset with this decision, resigned as AAP's state chief in Punjab. Other members and supporters of the party too have expressed their disappointment over the issue on social media.
ਮੈਂ ਆਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨਗੀ ਦੇ ਅਹੁਦੇ ਤੋਂ ਅਸਤੀਫ਼ਾ ਦੇ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ ..I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab ...but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an “Aam Aadmi “ of Punjab
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 16, 2018
सीधा सवाल - जो सबूत @AashishKhetan ने ड्रग माफिया के 29 मार्च 2016 को @ArvindKejriwal को दिएकेजरीवाल ने 30 मार्च को ट्वीट किया और प्रेस कांफ्रेंस कीवो ड्रग माफिया के सारे सबूत कोर्ट को और पुलिस को क्यों नहीं दिए गए? क्या केजरीवाल ने ड्रग माफिया से सेटिंग कर ली? pic.twitter.com/QPrDjxdnuM
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) March 16, 2018
Extremely disappointed in AAP’s new “strategy” of apologizing for corruption allegations to get rid of defamation cases. No honesty without courage. And you’re losing credibility this way. Should rather go to prison for the truth.
— Raghu Ram (@tweetfromRaghu) March 16, 2018
I express my strong disagreement on Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Majithia.This unnecessary apology has hurt sentiments of lakhs of volunteers.This is a huge setback for Antidrug campaign.Our fight against drugs continue @ZeePunjab @HTPunjab @thetribunechd @News18Punjab
— Meet Hayer MLA (@meet_hayer) March 16, 2018
I had left my home seat of Mohali where i had got maximum votes in MP elections and fought against Bikram Majithia against all odds on asking of Arvind Kejriwal because Punjab was suffering from drug https://t.co/lsfaC6QpsP I am feeling very sad and betrayed.
— Himmat S. Shergill (@himmatshergill) March 16, 2018
We’re appalled n stunned by the apology of @ArvindKejriwal tendered today,we don’t hesitate to admit that we haven’t been consulted on this meek surrender by a leader of his stature-khaira @ZeeNews @CNNnews18 @thetribunechd @HTPunjab @PTC_Network @JagbaniOnline @dailyajitnews
— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) March 15, 2018
Arvind kejriwal' apology to Bikram majithia in the defamation case on drugs is a let down to the people, especially the youth of punjab. We in punjab have not been taken into the loop. Our fight for punjab continues.#punjabdrugs
— Kanwar Sandhu (@SandhuKanwar) March 15, 2018
Saurabh Bhardwaj, Kejriwal’s spokesperson said that the AAP chief has decided "to amicably sort out pending court cases on the advice of the party's legal team because the cases were taking a toll on the already strained resources of the party and individuals". Responding to that somewhat indirectly, Dr Kumar Vishvas, national executive of APP, reminded everyone that he will not stop fighting any and all defamation cases against him, and that is the right thing to.
I hv been regularly dropping my shows to attend several court hearings related to 2013, 14 and 15 poll campaign without any legal assistance from AAP. Another one pending tomorrow and I hv been again engaging my personal lawyers for this. Will carry on this fight. Jai Hind????????????
— Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) March 16, 2018
Former AAP members found new reasons to criticise Kejriwal.
This abject apology admitting wilful & wrongful defamation for political ends, should end the political life of a politico, especially one who rode to power on the promise of alternative politics pic.twitter.com/3hx0D3s0Hb
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) March 15, 2018
The apology was not because AK felt that he had made a mistake, but because he wanted to escape court sentence. And without consulting his own Punjab MLAs https://t.co/eTMSBAolwX
— Mayank Gandhi (@mayankgandhi04) March 16, 2018
Kejriwal !! How many more apologies to go!! AAP implodes under a corrupt and power- crazy, congenital LIAR like Kejriwal! pic.twitter.com/u1JyPJr3pi
— shazia ilmi (@shaziailmi) March 16, 2018
Of course, not all opponents of AAP have accepted Kejriwal’s apology in the same spirit as Majithia. SAD leader and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal told ANI: “This exposes cheap politics by AAP, they spread false propaganda. They build their entire election campaign (in Punjab) on a lie, good that he has accepted his lies.”
It is a let down to the people of Punjab. I feel Kejriwal has murdered AAP in Punjab. It is as if their existence has been wiped off. With what face will they speak against drugs in Punjab now?: Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress over Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Bikram Singh Majithia pic.twitter.com/7IOvezRbOo
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018
Hasn't Kejriwal apologised to help Majithia?Also,see how the STF Punjab is tightening its noose around Majithia! ???? BUT-Kejriwal..’How Confessions of Punjab Synthetic-Drug Racket Accused Point to the Involvement of... Majithia’ https://t.co/VQshnAMFx9https://t.co/w8Y01minMW
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) March 16, 2018
But not all is lost. There were those who felt that the Delhi CM’s decision to apologise not only made sense but was also sensible.
Sensible decision by Arvind Kejriwal to apologize to Majithia.If you’re too honest in our country, the system will torture you for life. Either spend all your time and money fighting useless legal battles or try to change the government first. The second option is much better
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) March 16, 2018
Punjab police & Captain Amarinder will never do anything against majithia....How will @ArvindKejriwal kejriwal prove all the allegations ??So much defamations against AK ...Better he sidelines himself from these cases so that he can focus on Delhi's Governance.
— Ankita Shah (@Ankita_Shah8) March 15, 2018
As AK always says AAP is about more than one leader, even him, & if he ever makes a mistakes he expects AAPians to raise their voice & be heard. I’m sure he will hear us. Letter to Majithia must be retracted & thrown in the dust-bin. Trust of lakhs of Punjab voters is at stake.
— Krishan Partap Singh (@RaisinaSeries) March 15, 2018