In the past couple of days, the morality of AAP has been in question with allegations being hurled out at them left right and center. While many may not be based on hard facts, some make us ponder if we as Aam Aadmi's should let our selves be represented by a party that claims questionable austerity.
Without much diversion, this blog is to give an insight into asset declaration by AAP. The word declaration is of prime importance as my intention is not to malign their for more assets but rather a potential misappropriation or an ambiguity to the least in terms of their asset declarations made to the Election Commission
My Intentions are not to malign or undermine their individual achievements, however just to bring out some differences in the same information from the same individuals in 2 forums.
I would be most happy and satisfied if someone can help me understand them.
Firstly, my source.
1) The biggest good about AAP is it's self claimed transparent website, which offers much information about it candidates. They have a specific assets declaration maintained by them within the party which is displayed as a Info page per Candidate
2) The second source is the declaration from of the candiates to Election commission. MyNeta gives a copy of their form on their website.
3) Deviations or ambiguities while comparing the forms, or within the forms itself
Lets Begin (in order in which the Winning Candidates appear on MyNeta site). I will not be publishing candidate achievements or social participation, AAP website does it enough if you want to refer it. I will be limiting myself strictly to points that are relevant in this context
1) Vishesh Ravi (Karol Bagh)
His AAP webpage about him, claims that he has a house to his own name. However, his declaration form to Election Commission does not mention about this asset at all.
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/VisheshRavi
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=31
I can personally assure the validity of myNeta, but given that AAP proactively claims he has a house to his name, it makes us question for what reason does it not appear in his Election Commission form. If he indeed holds the house, this is an offence and misleading information.
2) Maninder Singh Dhir
There are several conflicts in comparison of both forms and forms itself
His EC form declares his immovable assets as below
a. A flat of Rs. 40L (whose procurement cost was only 5 Lacs, 3 Lacs land + 2 Lacs development cost), bought in 2005
b. A flat to his wife's name of Rs. 20L (purchased at 7.1L) in 2001
c. A flat to his wife's name of Rs. 40L (purchased at 5.1L) in 2005
d. A flat jointly owned by his wife and son of Rs. 75L (purchased at 27.5L) in 2011
None of these are inherited, and all are purchased.
With an investment of 34+ Lacs, their current value is 1.75 Crores.
While their list of other assets are equally astounding including, deposits, jwellery, etc lets see how much this family earns.
As per their income declared in 2012-13 FY, cumulative income of the family (him + wife) is a meager 4.37 Lacs currently.
Coming to his AAP page claims he has to his name only flat, the page silently and discreetly ignores the properties held by her wife. For other candidates, properties and vehicles held by even fathers and mothers are quoted at times. Clearly, the declaration of asset here is based on parties discretion if not truthful to the least.
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=68
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/Jangpura/ManinderSinghDhir
3) Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar)
Similar as above, but more severe
Non Inherited properties (12 properties, all but 2 bought in 2000+, significant bought post 2007, only one property is on wife's name) worth 3.57 Crore
This is all with a "Family Income" of 7.33L declared this year, sounds interesting
Again not suggesting other properties as their is no definition of inherited or purchased in those cases to give a benefit out doubt.
On the other hand, AAP page about him claims he has only 2 houses and 3 flats, while completely disregarding the several agricultural and non agricultural lands he owns himself.
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/KasturbaNagar/MadanLal
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=70
I could have gone and and on, for the sake of not having this blog post too long i end it at the first 3 for now, may be more later in independent posts.
In Summary, even if I may have no doubts or questions on how they purchased these properties, while giving them the advantage of them being inherited or having better salaries in the past, the key point to make here is that the marked difference in how AAP webpages seem to be using their discretion on defining what networth of a candidate is or what his assets are, while choosing to ignore the numbers, probably so that these do not mis-reflect AAP austerities and morals.
With this observation, the "transparency' provided by AAP is hardly reliable as it is highly misleading if not discretionary.
Without much diversion, this blog is to give an insight into asset declaration by AAP. The word declaration is of prime importance as my intention is not to malign their for more assets but rather a potential misappropriation or an ambiguity to the least in terms of their asset declarations made to the Election Commission
My Intentions are not to malign or undermine their individual achievements, however just to bring out some differences in the same information from the same individuals in 2 forums.
I would be most happy and satisfied if someone can help me understand them.
Firstly, my source.
1) The biggest good about AAP is it's self claimed transparent website, which offers much information about it candidates. They have a specific assets declaration maintained by them within the party which is displayed as a Info page per Candidate
2) The second source is the declaration from of the candiates to Election commission. MyNeta gives a copy of their form on their website.
3) Deviations or ambiguities while comparing the forms, or within the forms itself
Lets Begin (in order in which the Winning Candidates appear on MyNeta site). I will not be publishing candidate achievements or social participation, AAP website does it enough if you want to refer it. I will be limiting myself strictly to points that are relevant in this context
1) Vishesh Ravi (Karol Bagh)
His AAP webpage about him, claims that he has a house to his own name. However, his declaration form to Election Commission does not mention about this asset at all.
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/VisheshRavi
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=31
I can personally assure the validity of myNeta, but given that AAP proactively claims he has a house to his name, it makes us question for what reason does it not appear in his Election Commission form. If he indeed holds the house, this is an offence and misleading information.
2) Maninder Singh Dhir
There are several conflicts in comparison of both forms and forms itself
His EC form declares his immovable assets as below
a. A flat of Rs. 40L (whose procurement cost was only 5 Lacs, 3 Lacs land + 2 Lacs development cost), bought in 2005
b. A flat to his wife's name of Rs. 20L (purchased at 7.1L) in 2001
c. A flat to his wife's name of Rs. 40L (purchased at 5.1L) in 2005
d. A flat jointly owned by his wife and son of Rs. 75L (purchased at 27.5L) in 2011
None of these are inherited, and all are purchased.
With an investment of 34+ Lacs, their current value is 1.75 Crores.
While their list of other assets are equally astounding including, deposits, jwellery, etc lets see how much this family earns.
As per their income declared in 2012-13 FY, cumulative income of the family (him + wife) is a meager 4.37 Lacs currently.
Coming to his AAP page claims he has to his name only flat, the page silently and discreetly ignores the properties held by her wife. For other candidates, properties and vehicles held by even fathers and mothers are quoted at times. Clearly, the declaration of asset here is based on parties discretion if not truthful to the least.
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=68
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/Jangpura/ManinderSinghDhir
3) Madan Lal (Kasturba Nagar)
Similar as above, but more severe
Non Inherited properties (12 properties, all but 2 bought in 2000+, significant bought post 2007, only one property is on wife's name) worth 3.57 Crore
This is all with a "Family Income" of 7.33L declared this year, sounds interesting
Again not suggesting other properties as their is no definition of inherited or purchased in those cases to give a benefit out doubt.
On the other hand, AAP page about him claims he has only 2 houses and 3 flats, while completely disregarding the several agricultural and non agricultural lands he owns himself.
http://delhi.aamaadmiparty.org/Delhi-Elections-2013/KasturbaNagar/MadanLal
http://myneta.info/delhi2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=70
I could have gone and and on, for the sake of not having this blog post too long i end it at the first 3 for now, may be more later in independent posts.
In Summary, even if I may have no doubts or questions on how they purchased these properties, while giving them the advantage of them being inherited or having better salaries in the past, the key point to make here is that the marked difference in how AAP webpages seem to be using their discretion on defining what networth of a candidate is or what his assets are, while choosing to ignore the numbers, probably so that these do not mis-reflect AAP austerities and morals.
With this observation, the "transparency' provided by AAP is hardly reliable as it is highly misleading if not discretionary.
