Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann said on Tuesday that even after his tendering an unconditional apology over the controversial video filming of Parliament premises, the issue was being deliberately politicised.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Mann accused the Centre and other Opposition parties of giving the issue a political colour and blowing it out of proportion in an attempt to defame the AAP.
“I explained to the Speaker that I was only trying to make an educational video and had no intention to compromise security. I tendered an unconditional apology in writing as well,” said Mr. Mann, adding that his apology was not considered enough and the issue was being given a political twist.
Mr. Mann said his intention was to only educate people about Parliament’s procedure of selecting and raising the issues of people through the lottery system.
“Never have I seen the BJP, the Congress and the Akali Dal coming together on any other issue. They are afraid of the AAP’s growing popularity,” said Mr. Mann.
Reacting to the allegation of coming drunk to the Lok Sabha, Mr. Mann said it was a false propaganda to tarnish his and the party’s image.
“I am ready for a dope test anytime. Let us have dope tests on all MPs and I would be the first one to undergo them,” he said.
Backing their MP, AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh alleged that the BJP was trying to hijack discussions on important issues, including atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat, and therefore Mr. Mann was being targeted.
“We expect the Lok Sabha Speaker to be neutral. If the Speaker works under someone’s pressure, it will be a danger for democracy,” they said.
Mr. Singh said the party feared that the Central government was plotting to arrest Mr. Mann.
A day after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan constituted a nine-member panel to investigate the issue of video filming, Mr. Mann on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Speaker asking her to expand the scope of probe and summon Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting the ISI to Pathankot airbase.
“If I am guilty, the PM is 100 times guiltier than me. Inviting ISI agents to our airbase is a bigger security threat to nation,” he wrote in the letter. “Inviting the ISI to probe the January 2 terror attack in Pathankot and taking them around on the airbase. Does this not threaten security of the country?” he asked, adding that the committee should summon Mr. Modi along with him.
