Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of attempting to arrest him to obstruct his involvement in campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In a press conference held on Thursday, Kejriwal asserted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summonses against him were “illegal” and part of a larger scheme to tarnish his image. The chief minister, known for his anti-corruption stance, claimed that his honesty remains his “biggest asset” and that the BJP is aiming to break him by targeting his integrity.
Allegations of Political Vendetta:
Kejriwal, who skipped the ED summons for the third time, expressed concern over the timing of these summonses, linking them to the approaching Lok Sabha polls. He argued that the BJP’s intention is not to interrogate him but to arrest him through the ED, suggesting a political vendetta rather than a genuine pursuit of justice. According to Kejriwal, the BJP’s reluctance to have him interrogated indicates a desire to prevent him from actively participating in the electoral process.
Legal Standpoint and Response to Summons:
The chief minister, backed by his legal team, has labeled the ED summonses as “illegal.” He claimed to have written to the ED expressing the illegality of their actions but has allegedly received no response. Kejriwal emphasized that he is willing to comply with legally sound summonses but refuses to adhere to what he perceives as illegitimate attempts to undermine his credibility.
Kejriwal referenced a previous instance when he cooperated with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) eight months ago. He questioned the timing of the ED summonses, suggesting a deliberate effort to discredit him in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. The chief minister maintained that there is no excise policy scam, refuting the allegations against AAP leaders currently in jail. He argued that their imprisonment is not due to corruption charges but stems from their refusal to join the BJP.
Watch what Kejriwal said about BJP on twitter:
ED समन पर मेरी प्रेस वार्ता। https://t.co/NB9Lty67jL
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 4, 2024
Kejriwal defended AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair, asserting that their incarceration is not linked to corruption but to their political affiliations. According to him, they are paying the price for not aligning themselves with the BJP. Kejriwal asserted that the AAP’s ability to confront the BJP is rooted in their clean governance, free from corruption.
Arvind Kejriwal’s allegations against the BJP-led central government and the ED raise significant concerns about the politicization of law enforcement agencies. The chief minister’s refusal to comply with what he deems as illegal summonses is portrayed as a stand for justice and integrity. As the political drama unfolds, the focus remains on whether these accusations are indeed part of a political vendetta or a genuine pursuit of accountability. The developments surrounding Kejriwal’s case may have broader implications for the Indian political landscape, shaping public perception in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls.
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