New Delhi: Today, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers gathered in Ernakulam to protest against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after they arrested Delhi's Chief Minister and AAP's national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the Excise Policy Case.
Gopal Rai, a prominent AAP leader, has declared nationwide protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in response to the arrest of Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, on corruption charges related to the city's liquor policy.
Rai accused the BJP of orchestrating Kejriwal's arrest through government agencies, calling it an attack on democracy. He announced a protest scheduled for tomorrow at 10 am against the BJP's actions.
When asked about potential participation from opposition parties, Rai stated that the protest is open to anyone opposed to dictatorship.
Additionally, AAP leader Atishi mentioned that the Congress has pledged support from members of the INDIA bloc.
This marks another instance of AAP members demonstrating against the ED following the arrest of two senior leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, in the same case. Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, while Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested by the ED on October 5.
Kejriwal has filed an application in the Supreme Court challenging his arrest, but as of now, no special hearing has been scheduled.
Atishi emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the arrest undermines democracy and raises suspicions about the timing, especially considering the lack of evidence found during the two-year investigation.
She accused the BJP of targeting Kejriwal, recognizing him as a formidable opponent in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a similar vein, the arrest of Kejriwal has garnered support from various opposition parties within the INDIA bloc, who condemn the BJP's alleged misuse of governmental institutions for political gain.
Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), condemned Kejriwal's arrest as a manifestation of the BJP's thirst for power, emphasizing solidarity within the INDIA bloc against such actions.
The arrest of Kejriwal and the subsequent protests highlight the escalating tensions between the AAP and the BJP, setting the stage for a fierce political battle ahead.
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