New Delhi, Oct 26: Expelled Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav slammed AAP over the controversy surrounding Bhagwant Mann who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he arrived at the ‘bhog’ ceremony paying homage to the two youth killed in police firing in Faridkot. Yadav alleged that the Sangrur MP is an alcoholic and has even entered Lok Sabha sessions while he was drunk. Also Read - Farm Bills 2020: Haryana Home Minister Hits Out at Kejriwal, Asks Him What Provisions of Bills Benefit Corporates

“I discovered it first in July 2014 when AAP had a meeting of all its Lok Sabha candidates. Mann was sitting next to me and was smelling of alcohol. I mentioned it to Arvind Kejriwal and he nodded. Around this time I heard rumours that Mann was going to the Lok Sabha sessions drunk,” said Yadav, who was removed from the party in March, 2015. The psephologist also added, “One of his fellow MPs confirmed it to me.” Also Read - COVID-19: Centre Should've Admitted That There is Community Spread in Delhi, Says Satyendra Jain

Yadav believes that actions of Mann will severely hurt the prospects of the party which claims to fight against Nashakhori (addiction). (ALSO READ: Aam Aadmi Party shamed! ‘Drunk’ Bhagwant Mann forced to leave stage (Viral video) Also Read - Coronavirus Tests in Delhi Highest in The World, 3057 Tests Conducted Per Million; Says Arvind Kejriwal

The founding member of AAP also accused national convener Arvind Kejriwal of taking no action against Mann despite being informed. “Prashant Bhushan and I spoke about it. We said this was not just against parliamentary norms and public ethics, but also went against our anti-drug campaign in Punjab. Arvind Kejriwal confirmed that he had verified this complaint and found out that Bhagwant Mann had indeed gone the parliament drunk. He said he was furious about it and will not let him hold any responsible position. He assured us that he had warned Mann and there would be severe action if there was a repetition,” Yadav said.

However, instead of taking action against Mann’s undisciplined attitude, Kejriwal elevated his position in the party due to his electoral appeal and sycophancy towards the ‘Arvind coterie’, says Yadav. “Now Bhagwant Mann is the leader of AAP’s parliamentary party and the poster boy of the political campaign of the party committed to ending “nashakhori” in Punjab,” said Yadav, who has launched his own political outfit Swaraj Abhiyan, comprising of rebel AAP leaders and volunteers.