Kejriwal keeping 'corrupt official' close to him: Union Min

New Delhi, Dec 23: Amid a raging political row between AAP and the Centre over CBI raids in Delhi Secretariat, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore today alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was keeping a "corrupt official" close to him.

Rathore also stressed that despite Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "not being connected" to any of the firms whose name have cropped up in the alleged DDCA irregularities, Kejriwal has resorted to "abuses".

On being asked about possible action against BJP MP Kirti Azad, Rathore, Jaitley's deputy in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, said, "That is not for the government but the party to decide. I think the entire thing has been made very clear."

"Kejriwal has to answer specially because he came ushering in a new sort of politics emphasising on the fact that there will not be any corruption and he keeps a man close to him who's identified as a corrupt man.

And to top it, Kejriwal knew about the fact that he was a corrupt official," Rathore said. Although Rathore did not name the official, his remarks come in the wake of CBI raids on Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajendra Kumar's office and residence.

Rathore said instead of answering questions, the Delhi Chief Minister goes on a counter attack which involves "using abusive language and accusations" that have not been upheld by any investigation.

"DDCA has already been investigated by the Congress I believe and there was nothing found. However, this is also known that Jaitley has got no connections with any of the firms that has come up in these accusations and yet Kejriwal and his team accused and abused not only Jaitley but his entire family," he said on the sidelines of an event here.

PTI