New Delhi: Imran Hussain, MLA from the Ballimaran assembly constituency in Old Delhi will be the new Food Minister in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday.
"The food portfolio will go to AAP legislator Imran Hussain", Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference.
Imran Hussain has been made food minister in Delhi following the sacking of Asim Ahmed Khan as Food Minister for demanding a bribe from a builder.
Asim Ahmed Khan represents Matia Mahal assembly constituency. A first timer, he had defeated local heavyweight Shoeb Iqbal in the 2015 state elections.
Announcing the sacking at the press conference where Kejriwal played a recorded tape of a conversation purportedly between Khan and the builder, Kejriwal said the case was being referred to the CBI.
"We won't tolerate any corruption, even if it is by our ministers or legislators," said Kejriwal, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and official spokesman Nagendar Sharma.
"I'll not spare any minister, any legislator, even my son or even Manish. Strict action will be taken against anyone involved in corruption."
And Sisodia must not spare him (Kejriwal) if he (chief minister) himself indulged in corruption, the AAP chief said.
"I am sad to take this decision," he said. "Till the CBI completes the investigation, he (Khan) will not be a minister."
He said an audio tape given to him on Thursday established the claim of the complainant that the minister demanded Rs.6 lakh from the builder for allowing illegal construction in his Matia Mahal constituency in Old Delhi.
"Prima facie it seems the matter is serious...We cannot tolerate this."
He underlined that this was a decision of the AAP government, and that the media did not unearth this episode.
Khan is the second minister to bow out of the AAP government in disgrace. Then law minister Jitender Singh Tomar resigned under pressure in June after being arrested for allegedly faking his educational degree.