New Delhi:
Former Delhi Congress MLA Asif Khan came out Monday in support of AAP lawmaker Amanatullah Khan, who was arrested by the ACB, and said the BJP government at the Center is “abusing” its agencies to “intimidate” minorities.
Amanatullah Khan was arrested on September 16 by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with a corruption case.
The ACB is investigating alleged recruitment irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board, chaired by Amanatullah Khan, and has raided four places, including his home in Okhla.
Asif Khan claimed that the ACB’s raids on the AAP leader’s home and other places have caused panic among locals in the area.
However, he clarified that he was not giving the AAP MLA a clean slate.
“Why is the ACB harassing Khan’s family and causing panic in Jamia Nagar area? I am completely against the abuse of agencies, especially against minorities, by the BJP government in the Center,” the congress leader said.
The ACB had claimed that obstructions had arisen during its raids on the AAP MLA’s residence. Four people were arrested for allegedly hindering officials from performing their duties.
Some Delhi Congress leaders said Asif Khan’s decision to support the AAP MLA is his “personal affair” but he should have avoided it.
Meanwhile, Asif Khan said he was and will remain a “loyal” congressman.
“I do not support the AAP, my support is for Khan and his family. There is great resentment among the local people and as a politician I have felt for them. This will ultimately benefit Congress,” he said.
Asif Khan is a two-time MLA from the Okhla constituency. In the 2015 Assembly polls, he was defeated by Amanatullah Khan.
According to the ACB, while serving as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, Amanatullah Khan illegally recruited 32 people who violated all norms and government guidelines and amid allegations of corruption and favoritism.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.)