New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday alleged the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) was trying to tarnish the image of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ahead of the Delhi civic elections.
His allegation came in the wake of contents of a file relating to food expenses incurred on the celebration of completion of one year of the AAP government last year made public by the BJP.
Earlier, BJP leader Vijender Gupta said the AAP government organised a lavish lunch on February 11-12, 2016 at the Chief Minister’s residence to celebrate the occasion.
He alleged that the food bill quoted a rate of Rs 13,805 per plate for 80 guests.
“This must be the costliest lunch hosted by any government because the financial rules stipulate an expenditure of Rs 1,250 per person for hosting lunch in non-five star hotels,” Gupta said.
Challenging Gupta, Sisodia said in a series of tweets that he had himself refused to sanction the food bill around a year ago and the file had been lying with erstwhile Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung for months.
“Now a part of that file has been leaked to tarnish the image of Delhi government,” he said. “There is a conspiracy to defame us by making false allegations.”
Sisodia said officials at the Lt Governor’s office were coming out with half-truths at the behest of the BJP.
The AAP leader said if the BJP had courage, it should make public the entire file, including the part which had his note refusing to pass the food bill.
–IANS