AAP removes Punjab chief for alleged corruption

Chandigarh: Just six months before assembly elections in Punjab, the AAP removed its Punjab unit chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur from his post on Friday following allegations he took money from a supporter.

The political affairs committee of the Aam Aadmi Party took the action against the Punjab AAP convener Chhotepur.

Chhotepur will now face a disciplinary committee of the party, comprising Delhi lawmaker Jarnail Singh and former Punjab bureaucrat and AAP leader Jasbir Singh Bir, regarding allegations of corruption.

Differences between top leaders of the AAP`s national leadership and the Punjab unit came out in the open on Friday with Chhotepur saying he won`t leave the party on his own.

"I will not leave the party. I have built it brick by brick in the last two-and-a-half years. Let the party take action against me. I have done nothing wrong," Chhotepur told the media here.

The AAP leader, who was the party`s most visible face in Punjab till now, alleged that he had been framed by a "conspiracy of my own friends" in the AAP.

Chhotepur`s comments came hours ahead of an AAP meeting in New Delhi to discuss the controversy around a video clip in which Chhotepur is allegedly seen accepting money from a party supporter.