Delhi AAP Minister to Resigns After the Row Over Presence At Conversion Event

Delhi AAP Minister to Resigns After the Row Over Presence At Conversion Event

Delhi's Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam has resigned on Friday following protests over his attendance at a religious conversion program in Delhi.

New Delhi:

Delhi's Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam on Friday resigned following strong opposition from the BJP over his attendance at a religious conversion program in Delhi.

After his resignation, Mr. Gautam tweeted: "Today is the manifestation day of Maharishi Valmiki ji and on the other hand it is also the death anniversary of Manyavar Kanshi Ram Sahab. By such a coincidence, today I am freed from many shackles and today I was born again. Now I will continue to fight more vigorously for rights and atrocities on the society without any restrictions.'

Mr. Gautam's resignation assumes significance in view of the fact that his presence at the religious conversion program had given the BJP a point to attack the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which claims to be the main challenger to the ruling BJP in Gujarat. , where the assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.

On Friday, Mr Gautam had issued a statement, accusing the BJP of spreading "rumours" against him and apologizing to "anyone who may be hurt due to such propaganda". He said: "I am a deeply religious person. I personally respect all gods and goddesses and do not even dream of insulting any deity through any of my actions or words."

The minister said he had raised issues of education, health, employment, price rise and social equality in his speech at the event, but BJP leaders were spreading "rumours" against him.

At the event, the AAP minister, among a thousand others, was heard swearing, "I will have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, nor will I worship them".

After the incident, the BJP attacked Mr Kejriwal and called for Mr Gautam to be sacked. He also put up posters against him which were later removed by his supporters ahead of a rally in Gujarat's Vadodara yesterday.

Opposing the BJP's allegations and chanting "Jai Shri Ram" while addressing the rally, Mr Kejriwal said: "I am a devotee of Hanuman. Aur ye kasa ki aulad hai (I am a disciple of Hanuman, while he descendants of Kansa.

He further said: "I was born on Janmashtami. God has sent me with a special purpose: destroy Kansa's children and those who do corruption."