New Delhi, April 2: Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with his three colleagues Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Ashutosh have apologized to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in connection with the defamation case that he had filed against them.
"These allegations made by me were based on information and papers furnished to me by certain individuals who represented to have first-hand insight into the affairs of DDCA. However, I have recently discovered that the information and the imputations contained therein are unfounded and warranted and I was clearly misinformed into making these allegations," wrote Kejriwal and his colleagues to Jaitley.
Kejriwal and his colleagues then said they withdraw all allegations against Jaitley. The Union Finance Minister had sued the AAP leaders for defamation and accusing the former of corruption.
They then asked to "end the unsavoury litigations between us". Reportedly, Arun Jaitley has accepted the apology from them.
The BJP Delhi, meanwhile, on its Twitter account said that by apologising to Jaitley, Kejriwal has once again proven that he levels false accusations against people to reap political benefits and he has no evidence to substantiate his claims. Does someone like him has any right to retain the chief ministerial post, the BJP Delhi asks.
The rift between the two political ministers sparked when Kejriwal and the five AAP leaders issued allegedly false and defamatory statements against him and his family in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) when Jaitley was its president. However, Minister Jaitley has sought 10 crore in damages and 2 years in jail.
The AAP leader began his sorry spree with an apology to Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia for accusing him of drug trade without evidence. Also, In a March 16 letter to Union Shipping and Transport Minister Gadkari, Kejriwal said he was sorry for making certain statements, without regard to its verifiability. I regret the same. Let us put the incident behind us and bring the court proceedings to a closure."