Describing the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as a “political conspiracy” by the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi asserted that it’s unprecedented for a sitting CM to be apprehended by the Central government. At a press conference on Friday, she stated, “It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by Central government. Even the Jharkhand Chief Minister resigned before his arrest. In the country’s history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national convenor of a national party has been arrested. Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest is the BJP’s political conspiracy.”
Expressing faith in the Supreme Court’s role in safeguarding democracy, Atishi emphasized the importance of maintaining a level playing field. She remarked, “If this is not about damaging a level playing field, then what is it?…We hope that today as well Supreme Court will protect democracy in the country…BJP wants that Arvind Kejriwal should not be able to campaign in Lok Sabha elections…We are in touch with INDIA alliance leaders, they have expressed solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal.”
Meanwhile, Atishi also raised concerns about the safety and security of the Delhi Chief Minister. In a post on X on Friday, she noted, “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.”
The Enforcement Directorate visited Kejriwal’s residence on Thursday to question him regarding the liquor policy case, leading to his arrest amid dramatic circumstances as he failed to secure interim protection from the Delhi High Court. Subsequently, he was taken to the agency’s headquarters.
In response to Kejriwal’s arrest, AAP workers and leaders showed support, while leaders of the INDIA bloc extended solidarity. BJP leaders backed the ED’s actions, emphasizing the importance of truth.
Moreover, the Delhi Chief Minister moved to the Supreme Court regarding his arrest but did not receive a special hearing. Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai announced plans for a nationwide protest against what they deemed as the “illegal” arrest of Arvind Kejriwal.
The INDIA bloc parties stood in support of Kejriwal and criticized the BJP for using the ED 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 the money laundering investigation related to the now-scrapped excise policy.
Furthermore, two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 after several rounds of questioning. On October 5, the ED arrested Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member.