Arvind Kejriwal said Sandeep Kumar has "betrayed the Aam Aadmi Party and our movement".
Highlights
- Sandeep Kumar betrayed AAP and our movement: Arvind Kejriwal
- Mr Kumar, 36, fired last night over alleged sex CD and pictures
- Am not in video, targeted because I am Dalit, says Mr Kumar
Sandeep Kumar has "betrayed the Aam Aadmi Party and our movement", said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal about the minister he sacked last night over an alleged sex scandal.
In a video message to AAP members explaining the minister's sudden removal, Mr Kejriwal also vowed, "We will never ever compromise on our core values. We will prefer to die than tolerate wrongdoings."
The AAP chief said the former minister had been selected to contest the Delhi elections last year after a thorough check of his antecedents. "It is sad such people were with AAP," Mr Kejriwal said, adding that his party is different because "we never cover up when we get evidence of any wrongdoing. AAP takes action as soon as we get any evidence."
Sandeep Kumar, 36, who was the Women and Child Welfare Minister of Delhi, was removed over a video and photographs that reportedly show him with two women. He alleged today that the reason behind being targeted was "because I am a Dalit."
Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar was sacked by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday.
Mr Kumar said he is not in the video but that he has resigned because "I will not let the AAP name be tainted." His loyalty to the party, he said, remains undiminished.
"I am AAP's soldier now and forever," he told reporters this morning, while stressing that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Mr Kejriwal announced his removal in tweets last night.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said action was taken against Mr Kumar within 30 minutes of the CD being received, denying the allegation of political rivals that Mr Kejriwal had known about the CD for several days and acted only when it became public.
Sandeep Kumar is the third minister to be sacked by Mr Kejriwal since his government took office in February last year.
Jitender Tomar was asked to resign as Law Minister after he was accused of forging his college degree. In October, Asim Ahmed Khan was removed as Minister for Food and Environment following allegations of taking a bribe from a builder.
There are six ministers in the Delhi government who hold multiple portfolios.
Both the BJP and Congress have protested against the scandal and sought Mr Kejriwal's resignation.