After her recent statements about Gopal Rai stepping down as Delhi’s transport minister, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and MLA from the Chandni Chowk Chowk constituency, Alka Lamba, has been suspended from the post of party spokesperson for two months, says an Indian Express report.
The party directive comes after she had addressed the media on Tuesday saying that Gopal Rai had stepped down to ensure a fair probe into the Premium Bus Service scheme, despite the party maintaining that he was relieved of his duties because of his ill health.
“It came as a shock to the government and the party that such comments had been made about his resignation,” a senior AAP leader told Hindustan Times.
Lamba has accepted her mistake and has said that she is a disciplined party worker and will abide by all the rules.
Incidentally, she is one of the 21 MLA’s who has been appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary to a state minister.
मैं पार्टी की एक अनुशासित कार्यकर्त्ता हूँ और पार्टी के हर फैसले का सम्मान करती हूँ,मुझसे अनजाने में भी अगर कोई गलती हुई होगी तो मैं उसका1/1
— Alka Lamba (@LambaAlka) June 16, 2016
मैं उसका पश्चाताप जरूर करुँगी,ताकि मेरी वजहा से पार्टी की भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ लड़ाई को किसी भी तरहा का कोई भी नुक्सान ना पहुँचे1/2
जय हिन्द!— Alka Lamba (@LambaAlka) June 16, 2016
She also said that she hadn’t been informed by the party yet about her suspension:
No such intimation from the party:Alka Lamba,AAP on being asked about suspension from spokesperson post for 2 months pic.twitter.com/fZnRvcgSQR
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 16, 2016
Her suspension has invited criticism from several quarters with many questioning the Aam Aadmi Party’s stand on free speech and corruption.
Here are some of the reactions:
Finally AAP’s spokesperson confirms- Gopal Rai ws removed not bcoz of “bad health” But for Corruption & “Bad wealth”https://t.co/IwmjaEIe14
— Satish Upadhyay (@upadhyaysbjp) June 16, 2016
Alka Lamba suspended on her statement about Gopal Rai. Is AAP trying to hide something in Gopal Rai’s case? https://t.co/HfQ0WF4RvN
— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 16, 2016
Alka Lamba Removed As AAP Spokesperson After She Says Arvind Kejriwal Asked Gopal Rai To Resign. Punished For Honesty?#WarAgainstHonesty
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 16, 2016
Dear Alka Lamba, always remember ”Thou shall not question the Honesty, Integrity of His Holy Highness You know who, else thou shall repent”
— Ankita Lal (@iAnkitaLal) June 16, 2016
Alka Lamba Removed As party Spokesperson After She Says Kejriwal Asked Gopal Rai To Resign. Punished for saying truth.
— Ramrao kulkarni (@RamraoKP_) June 16, 2016
(Feature image source: PTI)