Kailash Gahlot Claims Every Senior AAP Leader Was Aware of Balyan's Extortion Case

New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) BJP leader Kailash Gahlot on Sunday rejected the notion of a conspiracy related to the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan in an extortion case, emphasizing that the issue had been common knowledge among senior leaders for the past year.

Gahlot, who recently transitioned from AAP to BJP, expressed significant concerns regarding the inaction displayed by AAP's leadership, including National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, despite their awareness of the matter.

Naresh Balyan, representing Uttam Nagar, was taken into custody on Saturday after audio recordings surfaced, allegedly featuring him in dialogue with gangster Kapil Sangwan, known as Nandu. These recordings reportedly showcase plans to intimidate and extort funds from builders and other individuals in Delhi.

During a press conference, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labeled Balyan an extortionist and accused AAP leaders of collaborating with gangsters to siphon off protection money from traders and builders. He claimed that Balyan's actions were carried out with Kejriwal's full knowledge and approval.

In addressing the situation, Gahlot stated to IANS, "It would be entirely inaccurate to describe this as a conspiracy because every senior AAP leader has been aware of this for over a year. The pressing concern is why no measures were taken despite the awareness of such activities by senior leaders, including the National Convenor. It is troubling that the situation has escalated to this point."

Gahlot further criticized AAP's stated principles, remarking, "AAP originally emphasized its dedication to three Cs -- Character, Corruption, and Crime. However, when senior leaders and MLAs are implicated in such incidents, it contradicts their foundational values. The audio clip is not merely a snippet; it encompasses a continuous five-to-six-minute conversation that is distinctly audible. This is very disturbing and shocking," he added.

Gahlot also commented on an incident during Arvind Kejriwal's padyatra in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Saturday evening, wherein a liquid was thrown at the AAP leader. Kejriwal subsequently claimed that the accused, Ashok Jha, was a bus marshal.

Gahlot scrutinized Kejriwal's response to the incident, accusing him of attempting to divert attention.

"From what I witnessed, it appeared that someone merely poured water. Kejriwal's assertion that the individual was a bus marshal seems to be a strategy to draw attention to himself," Gahlot remarked.

He called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, stating, "Events like these should be thoroughly examined. There might be underlying factors that we are currently unaware of. Regardless of whether it was orchestrated or spontaneous, every aspect should be meticulously investigated."

Gahlot emphasized that the identity, motives, and background of the person involved in the padyatra incident must be carefully evaluated. "It’s crucial to uncover the truth behind such actions. This matter cannot be taken lightly," he stated.