The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack against jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the Enforcement Directorate’s revelation that the embattled Aam Aadmi Party convener provided misleading and inconsistent information regarding other members of his party during interrogation.
Allegations surfaced that Kejriwal, purportedly the central figure in an alleged liquor policy scandal, derogatorily labelled his AAP colleagues as “confused” when discussing their statements.
Delhi court’s decision and ED’s contradiction on Kejriwal’s testimony
The onslaught intensified after Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court was informed that Kejriwal had given evasive responses and withheld pertinent information relevant to the investigation into the alleged scam. Subsequently, the court granted the ED’s request for judicial remand of the Chief Minister for 15 days, leading to Kejriwal’s incarceration in Delhi’s Tihar Jail until April 15.
Specifically, the ED asserted that Kejriwal claimed former AAP communications head Vijay Nair reported to Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj rather than to him and their interactions were of brief duration. However, the ED contradicted this by referencing Nair’s statements, alleging that Nair operated from Kejriwal’s office and resided in a ministerial bungalow.
BJP’s call for Kejriwal’s resignation amid allegations
“Reports suggest that Kejriwal stated Vijay Nair, the prime accused, reported to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj. The situation concerning Delhi Government’s liquor policy is becoming clearer. We await Kejriwal’s resignation or a shift in his political stance,” BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said
Moreover, Kejriwal allegedly provided conflicting statements regarding ND Gupta; initially acknowledging Gupta’s senior leadership role and party knowledge, only to backtrack following a mention of Kejriwal’s involvement in the alleged scandal.
The BJP capitalised on these revelations, reiterating calls for Kejriwal’s resignation on moral and constitutional grounds. Trivedi, accompanied by Shazia Ilmi, formerly of AAP and now with BJP since 2015, lambasted Kejriwal.
BJP’s criticism and Kejriwal’s response
The BJP also questioned Kejriwal’s moral integrity and political affiliations, mocking his shift from Anna Hazare to Lalu Prasad Yadav as a mentor figure, highlighting Yadav’s resignation upon facing corruption charges unlike Kejriwal. The BJP’s relentless assault ensued following the release of the ED’s remand report, emphasising Kejriwal’s failure to justify Nair’s numerous meetings with liquor business associates and accusing him of evading critical questions.
Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, subsequent to the Delhi High Court’s refusal to shield him, stems from the ED’s allegations regarding an excessively profitable liquor policy benefiting retailers and wholesalers. Kejriwal and his associates have denied these charges, attributing them to political manoeuvring by the BJP ahead of elections.
The Opposition accuses the BJP of weaponising investigative agencies like the ED and CBI to target political rivals, claims firmly dismissed by the BJP.
Kejriwal, now in Tihar Jail alongside former colleagues and Opposition figures, has contested his arrest, citing violations of fundamental rights, with the Delhi High Court slated to resume the hearing on Wednesday.