Kejriwal denies allegations of spending more than limit on polls

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) Denying allegations made by BJP leader Vijender Gupta against him of exceeding the prescribed expenditure limit of Rs.14 lakh in the state assembly elections in December, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Thursday told the Delhi High Court that allegations were made on "mere conjectures".

In an affidavit filed before Justice Vipin Sanghi, Kejriwal said that "the allegations made in the petition are frivolous, vague and misconceived".

The former Delhi chief minister also denied that the musical concert "Jeet Ki Gunj, Vote for Change" orgainsed by the Aam Aadmi Party at Jantar Mantar on Nov 23 before the assembly election last year was meant for his election campaign.

"That public meeting (musical concert) was organised by the AAP which was not at all organised as part of the election campaign of Kejriwal," the affidavit stated.

It further stated: "It was not a rock show or musical concert but rather a public meeting organised by party to motivate the youth of whole Delhi, party volunteers and its candidates."

Besides all the artistes - Ranbir Shorey and Rabbi Shergil - had, during the event, announced that they are not charging any money, Kejriwal said.

The affidavit also added: "The petitioner (Gupta) has alleged expenditure of more than Rs.1 crore on the basis of mere conjectures and surmises... no documentary evidence has been produced in support of payment of the alleged money to the celebrities."

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader had moved the high court arguing that in the event the expenses from the musical concert were added to the poll expenditures of Kejriwal, it will exceed the legally mandated threshold of Rs.14 lakh for each candidate.

The plea sought cancellation of Kejriwal's election for exceeding the expenditure limit in assembly polls.

Kejriwal, however, contended that election of candidate can't be challenged on the basis of such bald statements.

Gupta alleged that Kejriwal indulged in "corrupt practices" and incurred huge expenditure of nearly Rs.94.80 lakh during the campaign by organising a rock show at Jantar Mantar after filing his nomination papers. Many singers and Bollywood personalities performed at the event and all of them charged Rs.3-10 lakh, which was paid by Kejriwal, he added.