New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that the Aam Aadmi Party leadership must explain its political association with and patronage of ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who was held guilty of instigating the 2020 Delhi riots, murder and violence in a court.

Reacting to the trial court’s decision delivered on Monday, Chief Minister Gupta said that the conviction of Tahir Hussain in the case marks an important step towards justice for the families who lost their loved ones.

She said the Aam Aadmi Party leadership must explain its political association with and patronage of the person who has been found guilty of instigating the Delhi riots, murder and widespread violence.

Chief Minister Gupta asked senior AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and his party colleagues Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia when the people of Delhi would receive answers on the entire episode.

She said that during the Delhi riots, the national capital witnessed a horrific phase of violence, stone-pelting and lawlessness, in which many people lost their lives and numerous families were affected.

She added that those events continue to leave several unanswered questions in the minds of the people of Delhi.

The Chief Minister said there must be accountability towards the people of Delhi and that those responsible for the riots should be punished in accordance with the law.

She said ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such incidents in the future are the government’s top priority.

Earlier, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia welcomed the conviction of Tahir Hussain for the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 city riots, demanding an apology from Kejriwal for trying to shield his party colleague and slamming the Congress for pursuing politics of appeasement.

Bhatia said that when the conspiracy of these riots was being hatched, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s statement was: “Yeh Ladai Aar-Paar Ki Ladai Hai. Ghar Se Niklo, Aar-Paar Ki Ladai Lado.”

He said the trial court’s verdict had exposed the “petty and deplorable politics” practised by Kejriwal and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who represent a “vulture-like political culture”.

–IANS

rch/dan