Campaign rumour leaves BJP red-faced

New Delhi: Former Aam Aadmi Party minister Sandeep Kumar, who lost his berth after a CD showing him in a compromising position surfaced on social media, created an embarrassing situation for the BJP on Sunday after some party workers were seen standing behind him while he was giving a byte to a television news channel in Northwest Delhi’s Narela area.

It all began when some AAP functionaries started saying that the ousted minister had started campaigning for the BJP for the coming civic elections. Soon, the news spread to TV channels and social media, creating panic among the state’s party leadership.

Taking no risk, the local leadership directed its office bearers to immediately investigate into the matter.

After a thorough probe, the party leadership learnt that Mr Kumar had gone to Narela on a personal visit, where a village panchayat was going on.

As a news channel reporter approached Mr Kumar for his byte, some party workers wearing saffron caps surfaced behind him since he was talking to the camera. When the clip was aired, the BJP workers in the background gave the impression that he was indeed campaigning for the party.

Further adding to the confusion was Mr Kumar was asked about why he was in Narela, he said that he had gone to campaign in his personal capacity for a candidate called Khatri. Incidentally, the name of the BJP candidate from the area was also Savita Khatri.

The matter died down only after Savita Khatri told the party leadership she had nothing to do with the former minister. But taking no chances, the BJP leadership issued a stern warning to its cadre to stay away from candidates of other parties when the TV cameras are rolling.