After blocking Captain Amarinder's planned political gatherings in Canada, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has now lodged a formal complaint against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Canada's Foreign Minister Stephane Dion has asked the government to intervene and stop the AAP's election-related activities in the country and block the proposed visit of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Through a letter to the Foreign Minister, the SJF attorney states that by targeting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living in Canada, canvassing for their votes and holding fundraising events, the AAP is conducting campaigns in Canada and has established a foreign political movement in the country, both of which violate the express terms of "Global Affairs Canada" Policy.
Talking to ANI, attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the legal advisor to SFJ, informed that SFJ has retained civil rights lawyer Louis Century of Goldblatt Partners to file its legal memorandum sent to the Canadian Government.
With respect to the AAP's ongoing election campaign in Canada, the 19-page memorandum states, "This represents a clear violation of Circular Note No. XDC-1264, "Foreign Elections in Canada and Foreign Electoral Constituencies dated September 8, 2011 (the "Policy")" which states "The Department will not allow foreign governments to conduct election campaigns in Canada or establish foreign political parties and movements in Canada."
Citing AAP Canada's Facebook page and news articles relating "Chalo Punjab 2017" campaign, the letter states the AAP's campaign in Canada is presenting Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal as "the only hope" for Punjab and asking NRIs to reach India by December 1 this year as Punjab goes to the polls in 2017.
"The facebook page for the Canadian affiliate of AAP, 'Aam Aadmi Party Canada', includes as its mission: 'Membership drive for AAP in Canada through various awareness programs' and 'Involve NRI and people from Indian origin to participate in governance process',", states Pannun.