Water and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, seen to be close to Aam Aadmi Party founding member Kumar Vishwas, was dropped from the Delhi Cabinet on Saturday over what is being described as “poor performance.”
He was sacked on the eve of a “massive expose” he promised on the alleged water tanker scam in the Delhi Jal Board.
Two new ministers will be inducted, Kailash Gahlot and Rajendra Pal Gautam, who represent the Najafgarh and Seelampur Assembly constituencies.
Mr Mishra, who was earlier relieved of the law portfolio within months of being given the charge, claimed he had not been officially informed about his sacking.
An AAP insider said the reason for his sacking was his “inability to keep a check on efficient water supply in Delhi,” especially during the municipal polls last month.
The surprise move was also attributed to the support he gave to Mr Vishwas, who recently appeared to criticise the party leadership over the AAP’s poor show in the recent elections.
Mr Vishwas had also indicated that he was considering an exit from the party but he was placated by no less than Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party functionaries.
“I am the only minister with no corruption charges. no CBI enquiry against me. Kisi beti rishtedar ko pad nahin diya. Sheila ka bhashtachar khola (I did not appoint a daughter or relative to any post. I exposed Sheila (Dikshit’s) corruption) (sic.)” he tweeted.
This was seen as a jibe at senior Delhi Cabinet Minister Satyendra Jain. In another tweet he said he had been involved with the movement since 2004 and “was going nowhere.”
A source claimed Mr. Gahlot was being considered for the Water and Tourism portfolios, held by Mr Mishra, and Mr. Gautam for the SC/ST Welfare department. Mr. Kejriwal’s final decision is awaited though.
Mr. Mishra had recently written to the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch, probing the alleged water tanker scam, demanding why former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had not been questioned so far.
