New Delhi: Criticising Aam Aadmi Party for fielding former Law Minister Somnath Bharti for the Delhi Assembly elections, BJP today said that the party has "insulted" women and shown its "dual standards" in polity.
"By nominating Bharti as its candidate, AAP has again shown its dual standards in polity. AAP has also insulted women," state BJP media in-charge Praveen Shankar Kapoor said.
Delhi Police had on October 1 told a court here that it has charge-sheeted former law minister and AAP leader Somnath Bharti for molestation and other offences in a case pertaining to his purported midnight raid on a house where some African women were residing.
"The episode of Bharti has internationally tarnished the image of Indian politicians. But despite this, AAP has again fielded him in the forthcoming Assembly elections," Kapoor said. "It is a matter of shame that a party which preaches high moral standards violates the same unabashedly."
Earlier in the day, AAP released its first list of 22 candidates, including four former ministers, for the Delhi Assembly elections, dates of which are yet to be announced.
"AAP has formed a probe committee led by party's senior leader Anand Kumar and it will look if allegation emerges against any candidate during elections. If allegation is proved, party can even cancel their ticket in the last moment," AAP's PAC member Sanjay Singh said.
Asked why party then fielded Bharti, who is facing serious charges in Malviya Nagar midnight raid, Singh maintained that Bharti was innocent and that he had gone there on the request of local people and tried to help them in busting a "prostitution and drug racket".
