Stung by ‘midnight hawala’ allegations, AAP to move SC seeking probe into funding of all parties

New Delhi: A day after a group of former Aam Aadmi Party members and supporters accused the party of receiving hawala or money laundering funds, its chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that they will move the Supreme Court on Tuesday and ask for an investigation into the funding of all parties, including that of its own.

5 AAP leaders will go to SC today at 10.30 am to submit an application for an SIT probe into funding of BJP, Cong n AAP

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 3, 2015

AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said a five-member delegation of AAP will go to the apex court.

"We demand that an SIT be formed under the direction of SC and that SIT should investigate funding of all three parties," said Yadav.

Same old pattern - false allegations just five days before polls in the hope that something sticks. Desperate tricks of a bad loser?

— Yogendra Yadav (@AapYogendra) February 2, 2015

"The SIT must present a report and if any of the 3 parties are guilty then that party should face the consequences. An eight-month-old issue has been purposely raised just five days before polls. Same tactic was used last time before the polls too," he added.

AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said that if the Supreme Court finds any discrepancy in his or any other party's funding, the recognition of that particular party should be scrapped.

"We are facing serious claims and want a probe into ours and other parties' funding. If found guilty, you can put us behind bars. If the Supreme Court finds any discrepancy, the recognition of that particular party should be scrapped," the AAP leader said.

AAP will write letters to BJP and Congress presidents requesting to cooperate in SIT probe about their fundings for clean politics.

— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) February 3, 2015

A group of activists, calling themselves the AAP Volunteer Action Manch (AVAM), alleged that the party had received Rs 2 crore last year through four “dubious companies.”

Karan Singh and Gopal Goel of AVAM alleged that four donations worth Rs 50 lakh each were remitted to the account of the AAP from four different “dubious companies”.

Not willing to let the opportunity go, both the BJP and Congress jumped to attack the AAP. The BJP fielded power minister Piyush Goyal and MoS (independent charge) Nirmala Sitaraman to pin down AAP over the issue. “Four fake companies, with the same directors and made within a period of 10-11 days, donated Rs 50 lakh each to the AAP on the same day,” Mr Goyal said.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi demanded an “in-depth investigation” into the dubious donations to the AAP. “Those who used to give lectures saying that we are snow white and descended from heaven are allegedly taking money from dubious companies (sic),” Mr Singhvi said.

The elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held in a single phase on February 7. The counting of votes will take place on February 10. The last day of campaigning is February 5.