The Delhi Assembly has cancelled its sitting scheduled for Friday following the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is set to appear before a special court today. The next assembly session is now planned for March 27 at 11 am.
“Hon’ble members are hereby informed that the Hon’ble Speaker has directed the sitting of the House scheduled for today i.e. 22 March 2024 stands cancelled,” the Deputy Secretary stated.
Kejriwal, the AAP National Convenor, was arrested on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged liquor policy scam. The cancellation was announced by the Deputy Secretary, citing the Speaker’s directive.
Workers of the Aam Aadmi Party have launched a nationwide protest in response to Kejriwal’s arrest. DMK MP Dayanidhi Maaran and Tamil Nadu Minister Sekar Babu protested in Chennai Central against the arrest.
AAP leaders have described the arrest as a move by the BJP to stifle opposition voices ahead of the elections. They have rallied behind Kejriwal, while the BJP has supported the ED’s actions, accusing Kejriwal of corruption.
The INDIA bloc parties have criticized the BJP for using the ED as a weapon against the opposition. Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial custody in the excise policy case.
The arrest of Kejriwal marks the first time a sitting CM has been arrested by the Central government, according to Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi. She described it as a “political conspiracy” by the BJP.