First-Time Arrest of National Party Leader Before Lok Sabha Polls: AAP

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd March. 
Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Friday described the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as a political conspiracy by the BJP. She stated that this is the first time a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested by the Central government.

Atishi emphasized that even the Jharkhand Chief Minister resigned before being arrested, making this a unique situation in the country’s history. She highlighted that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, it is unprecedented for the national convenor of a national party to be arrested. Atishi made these remarks during a press conference on Friday, accusing the BJP of orchestrating Kejriwal’s arrest.

She expressed confidence in the Supreme Court’s ability to safeguard democracy in the country, stating, “If this is not about damaging a level playing field, then what is it? We hope that today as well the Supreme Court will protect democracy in the country. BJP wants to prevent Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. We are in contact with INDIA alliance leaders, who have shown solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal,” she added.

Concerns were raised about the safety and security of the Delhi Chief Minister following his arrest. Atishi posted on X, “For the first time in the country, a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal has Z security cover. Now he is in the custody of the ED of the Central Government. We are concerned about his safety and security.”

Enforcement Directorate officials visited Kejriwal’s residence to question him about the liquor policy case. He was arrested during a search operation after failing to secure interim protection from arrest from the Delhi High Court. Kejriwal was later taken to the agency’s headquarters by the Enforcement Directorate.

Support from AAP workers and leaders, as well as the INDIA bloc parties, was extended to Kejriwal after his arrest. While BJP leaders backed the ED’s actions against the Delhi Chief Minister, emphasizing the importance of truth prevailing.

Despite moving to the Supreme Court, Kejriwal did not receive a special hearing late at night. Gopal Rai, a Delhi Minister and AAP leader, announced that the party would launch a nationwide protest against Kejriwal’s “illegal” arrest.

The INDIA bloc parties criticized the BJP for using the Enforcement Directorate as a tool against the Opposition. Additionally, on March 15, the ED arrested Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with money laundering charges related to the excise policy.

In the excise policy case, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody. Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26, while Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested by the ED on October 5.

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