'I am victim of cyber offence'

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s former go-to man Karan Singh challenged the grounds leading to his dismissal, saying he was a victim of cyber offence launched by senior leaders of the party’s state unit.

As the head of volunteer engagement cell, Singh claimed to have started the AAP Volunteer Action Manch in June to voice opinion against lack of “inner-party democracy” and “Swaraj” within the organisation.

His group is currently on a week-long protest at Jantar Mantar. Within a month of starting the manch, Singh was charged with circulating anti-AAP and pro-BJP messages to party workers.

Some senior party leaders, including Kejriwal, had expressed their apprehension about his plans of launching the volunteer movement.

Alleging conspiracy by senior leaders, Singh said he will file an FIR against the misuse of party database of volunteers.

He alleged that his identity was forged and bulk SMSes and messages on social media were sent to party workers. “I can’t take names. We will first get proof against them,” he added.

“AAP not listening to volunteers. Lets all leave AAP. Modi ji has given hope 2 India. We’ll talk to BJP. All AVAM vol will join BJP if they agree to our demand,” one of the messages allegedly sent by Singh on July 13 read.

After issuing a show cause notice to Singh, the party’s state disciplinary committee earlier this month sacked Singh for his involvement in anti-party activities.

Singh’s differences with party leadership had started to surface when Singh conducted a ‘referendum’ at a volunteer meet in Kirari Assembly constituency, said the AAP faction, adding it led to ousting of a local representative who happened to be the relative of Kejriwal’s close aide.

“Even the party observer had challenged his leadership abilities,” member of the faction Amit Kumar Srivastava said, adding the person is a key contender for party’s ticket if Delhi goes to fresh polls.

The group has found support in former party patron Shanti Bhushan who in a TV interview had said AAP should create “elected party structures” within the party.