Tag: KEJRIWAL

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Kejriwal moves SC, terms arrest as assault on democracy

Assailing the HC verdict, Delhi CM’s plea said the judgement failed to appreciate that the statements made before the probe agency are not held to be gospel truth…reports Asian Lite News

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of the plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed his plea, saying Kejriwal’s arrest is not in contravention of law and remand can’t be termed “illegal”.

The high court further stated that this court is of the opinion that the accused has been arrested and his arrest and remand have to be examined as per law and not as per the timing of elections.

Kejriwal’s challenge to the timing of arrest before general elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable, said the court.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. The trial court sent him to judicial custody till April 15. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.

The agency also claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped.

While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair.

In the appeal filed in the top court, Kejriwal said his arrest on March 21 after the announcement of the general elections is “obviously motivated by extraneous considerations”.

“The intervention of this court is urgently warranted, as over and above the issue of illegal curtailment of liberty, the petitioner’s arrest also constitutes an unprecedented assault on the tenets of democracy, free and fair elections and federalism, both of which form significant constituents of the basic structure of the Constitution,” it said.

The arrest was made solely relying on subsequent, contradictory and highly belated statements of co-accused who have now turned approvers, it said.

Moreover, such statements and material were in possession of the Enforcement Directorate since the last nine months and still the arrest has been made illegally in the middle of general elections 2024, the plea said.

“The petitioner’s arrest bears serious, irreversible ramifications for the future of electoral democracy in India and if he is not released forthwith to participate in the upcoming elections, it will establish a precedence in law for ruling parties to arrest heads of political opposition on flimsy and vexatious charges before elections, thereby eroding the core principles of our Constitution,” the plea said and sought his immediate release by terming the arrest as illegal.

Assailing the high court verdict, the plea said the judgement failed to appreciate that the statements made before the probe agency are not held to be gospel truth and can always be doubted by the courts.

“The High Court in the impugned judgement failed to appreciate that such statement of co-accused  later- turned approver statements cannot be the starting point for ascertaining the guilt of the accused person, and also the HC has failed to appreciate the procedure adopted by the ED in procuring such statements by coercion,” the plea said.

HC dismisses plea seeking Kejriwal’s removal

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea moved by Delhi’s former Minister Sandeep Kumar, seeking direction to remove Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister.

The Court said, “This is the third petition with identical prayers. We will impose a Rs 50,000 fine on the petitioner. Stop making a mockery of the system. Costs are the only way to curb such petitions.”

The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora showed displeasure with the petitioner and stated that the Governor will take a call on this.

“We won’t. Don’t give political speeches in court. You’re trying to involve us in political tricket,” it said.

An ex-minister in the Aam Aadmi Party government and former MLA has recently filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister.

The petition claims a writ of quo-warranto against Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that he has incurred the incapacity to hold the office of Chief Minister of Delhi after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in Excise Policy case.

Petitioner Sandeep Kumar, former Minister for Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, SC/ST Govt of NCT of Delhi in Aam Aadmi Party government and former MLA from Sultanpur Mazra Vidhanbasa Delhi, through plea stated that Arvind Kejriwal, while lodged in jail, has incurred an incapacity to carry out his constitutional obligations and functions under Articles 239AA (4), 167 (b) and (c) and proviso to sub-section (4) of section 14 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and hence he can no longer function as the Chief Minister of Delhi. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Kejriwal is a lion, wouldn’t be in jail for long, says Sunita  

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Kejriwal is a lion, wouldn’t be in jail for long, says Sunita  

All leading Opposition leaders on Sunday came together and shared the stage at the Ramlila Maidan to register their protest over Kejriwal’s arrest in the case…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the protests and political showdown around her husband’s arrest in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, Sunita Kejriwal, wife of the embattled chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, assured party workers that he was as valiant as a lion and wouldn’t be in jail for long.

Addressing party workers at a mega show of strength of the AAP and its partners in the INDIA bloc to rally support for CM Kejriwal, his wife said, “Your Kejriwal is a lion, they (BJP-led Centre) will not be able to keep him in custody for long. He remains in the hearts of crores of people across the country.”

The Delhi CM is currently in the custody of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) till April 1, Monday, in connection with the liquor policy case.

In an emotional pitch to party supporters and people before reading a message from her husband, Sunita, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, said, “Your very own Kejriwal has sent a message for you from custody. However, before reading out this message, I would like to ask you something. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi put my husband in custody. Do you all believe that he did the right thing? Do you believe that Kejriwal-ji is a true patriot and honest person? These BJP people are saying that since Kejriwal is in custody, he should resign. Do you all believe he should resign?”

She added that the strong determination and courage with which she saw her husband fighting his arrest in the liquor case reminded her of the freedom fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice during the struggle for independence.

“The courage with which he is fighting his arrest and for the people and the country often reminds me of the freedom fighters who died fighting for the country’s independence. Maybe Kejriwal was destined to wage this struggle for Bharat Ma,” she said.

She then proceeded to read out six promises that Kejriwal said the INDIA bloc would fulfil if voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. These include 24×7 electricity supply across the country, free power supply for the poor, good government schools in every village and mohalla, MSP (minimum support price) for farmers in accordance with the Swaminathan Commission report and full statehood for Delhi.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 after several hours of questioning in connection with the excise policy case.

All leading Opposition leaders on Sunday came together and shared the stage at the Ramlila Maidan to register their protest over Kejriwal’s arrest in the case.

Speaking at the Maha Rally, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Gopal Rai questioned the need to arrest Kejriwal, a sitting chief minister, in the liquor policy case.

“Protests erupted across the country since his arrest on March 21. No one has a clue yet why a sitting CM had to be arrested. But it isn’t about Kejriwal alone. Before arresting the Delhi CM, his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren was arrested (in a land ‘scam’ case) as well. Such misuse of the ED and CBI (against Opposition leaders) has put our democracy in peril,” Rai said at the rally on Sunday. (ANI)

Akhilesh takes dig at BJP over poll pitch

Taking a dig at the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday questioned why it was ‘scared’ of the AAP and other Opposition forces if it was so confident of going ‘400 paar’ (beyond 400 seats) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing the Opposition’s Maha Rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, the former UP chief minister said, “These people (BJP and its NDA partners) are raising chants of ‘400 paar’. If they are so confident of winning that many seats, why be scared of the AAP and the other Opposition leaders? They are sending elected chief ministers to jail. Not just fellow countrymen but the whole world has condemned these arrests.”

Further raising the pitch against the BJP, the SP chief added, “The BJP call themselves the biggest political party in the world. However, on the evidence of their track record over the last 10 years, they are a party of the biggest liars in the universe.”

Accusing the ruling party at the Centre of using probe agencies at their disposal to harass Opposition leaders and keep their hold on power, Akhilesh claimed that they would lose as many seats as they are claiming to win.

“If they keep using the ED, CBI and IT to stay in power, then they are not going to win but lose 400 seats. A closer look at the prevailing state of affairs in the country would tell you that the people are not with the BJP,” the former UP chief minister added.

“The entire country knows today how the BJP raised funds using the ED and CBI. To prevent more skeletons (on electoral bonds) from tumbling out, they are filing false cases against Opposition leaders using the ED and CBI,” Akhilesh said.

In a show of strength against the arrest of Chief Minister Kejriwal in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy ‘scam’, and several other issues, the leaders of the INDIA bloc held a ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and is currently in the custody of the central agency till April 1.

Addressing the Loktantra Bachao rally, Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, assured party workers that her husband is as valiant as a lion and will not be in jail for long.

“Your Kejriwal is a lion, they will not be able to keep him in jail for long. He is in the hearts of crores of people,” Sunita Kejriwal said at the Ramlila Maidan.

In an emotional pitch to AAP supporters and the people before reading out a message from her husband from ED custody, Sunita, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, said, “Your very own Kejriwal has sent a message for you from custody. However, before reading out this message, I would like to ask you something. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi put my husband in custody. Do you believe he did the right thing? Do you all believe that Kejriwal-ji is a true patriot and an honest person? These BJP people are saying that since Kejriwal is in jail, he should resign. Should he resign?”

She said seeing the determination and courage with which her husband was fighting the arrest in the liquor policy case reminded her of freedom fighters who laid down their lives during the struggle for independence.

“Seeing the courage and strong resolve with which he is fighting his arrest and for the people and country often reminds me of our freedom fighters who died fighting for our independence. Maybe Kejriwal was destined to wage this struggle for Bharat Ma,” Sunita said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-No relief from HC for Kejriwal

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No relief from HC for Kejriwal  

Judge Baweja allowed Kejriwal to meet his family members, including his wife, daughter, PA and advocates…reports Asian Lite News

A Delhi court on Thursday extended, till April 1, the ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, holding that there were “sufficient reasons” while allowing him to meet his family members and lawyers.

CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his six-day ED remand on Thursday.

Judge Baweja, who is hearing the case, had sent him to ED custody on March 22.

On Thursday, the probe agency sought the Chief Minister’s custody for seven more days. However, after hearing the arguments, the court extended the AAP supremo’s ED remand by four days till April 1, observing that there appear to be “sufficient reasons” to permit his further custodial interrogation, particularly keeping in view the submissions of the ED.

The probe agency submitted that he is required to be confronted with the material collected and statements recorded so far in the course of the investigation.

The court directed the investigation officer to ensure that further interrogation and confrontation etc. of the accused is done without any delay.

Judge Baweja allowed Kejriwal to meet his family members, including his wife, daughter, PA and advocates.

Moreover, the court has directed the agency to conduct the interrogation at a place with CCTV coverage and for the preservation of the footage. The ED has also been asked to provide the requisite medication to Kejriwal and get him medically examined in accordance with the law during the period of his custody.

During the hearing on Thursday, the courtroom was packed with CM Kejriwal’s supporters. His wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Atishi, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, among others, were also present in the courtroom.

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju submitted that Kejriwal needs to be confronted with some individuals connected to AAP who have been summoned from Goa. He also accused Kejriwal of not cooperating with the probe and giving evasive replies, adding that digital data needs to be checked for which the ED needs passwords.

“Kejriwal says he will ask his lawyers whether to give the passwords,” he said.

As the court also allowed Kejriwal to make personal submissions, he said the CBI has filed 31,000 pages while the ED has filed 25,000 pages in the case, but no one has been found guilty.

“My question is, why have I been arrested,” he asked. “I am not opposing the ED custody… It can keep me for as long as it wants, but this is a scam. My name was taken by four witnesses… Many people come to my residence, is that enough ground to arrest a sitting CM,” Kejriwal said.

He also claimed that people are being made approvers in the case and forced to change their statements.

On Kejriwal’s claim that Sarath Reddy gave over Rs 50 crore to the BJP, the ASG said that it had nothing to do with the liquor scam. “The BJP did not have the right to make the (excise) policy. We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam,” he said.

He also claimed that the ED has materials to show that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore in kickbacks.

The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after questioning him for over two hours at his official residence in Delhi. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant any interim relief to Kejriwal, who contended that his arrest and the remand order passed by Judge Baweja were illegal and that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately, holding that the probe agency has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply.

The ED has termed Kejriwal the “kingpin and the key conspirator” of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders, and other persons.

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US asks India to ensure fair legal process for Kejriwal

Delhi Police personnel in a scuffle with photojournalists during the Aam Aadmi Protest (AAP) protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at Delhi’s Patel Chowk on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Kejriwal, the national convenor of the AAP, was arrested on March 21 and subsequently remanded to the ED’s custody till March 28 by a Delhi court...reports Asian Lite News

The United States has said that it encourages a “fair and transparent” legal process for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the liquor policy scam. A US spokesperson told Reuters that Washington is closely monitoring the reports of the arrest of the Aam Aadmi Party leader ahead of the general elections. “We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal,” the spokesperson said.

The US reaction came days after Germany made a similar statement, saying the chief minister was entitled to a fair and impartial trial. “We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of Judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case,” German foreign ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said on Friday. India termed his remarks an interference in its judicial process and lodged a strong protest by summoning the German deputy chief of mission in New Delhi on Saturday.

“We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “India is a vibrant and robust democracy with the rule of law. As in all legal cases in the country, and elsewhere in the democratic world, law will take its own course in the instant matter. Biased assumptions made on this account are most unwarranted,” he further said. Kejriwal, the national convenor of the AAP, was arrested on March 21 and subsequently remanded to the ED’s custody till March 28 by a Delhi court. The Delhi High Court will hear a petition by Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the ED, on Wednesday. The case pertains to the alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped. Top AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in judicial custody in the case.

AAP launches campaign for saving Constitution

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a social media campaign asking people to support it for saving the constitution and democracy in the country.

Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Atishi addressed a press conference here to launch the social media “DP (display picture) campaign”, urging people to join in.

She said that all AAP leaders and volunteers will change their profile picture on X, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media accounts with the new one showing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal behind the bars captioned “Modi Ka Sabse Bada Dar Kejriwal”.

Kejriwal is the only leader in the country who can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi so he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate without any evidence just after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, Atishi said.

She claimed the ED could not produce even “one Paisa” of evidence despite its two-year-long probe into the alleged excise scam.

She alleged that the BJP and Modi want to crush Kejriwal and added that the AAP was waging a battle against “dictatorship” in the country.

She urged people to join the social media DP campaign of the party saying saving the democracy and the Constitution was not just Kejriwal’s fight.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in connection with the money laundering case linked to now scrapped excise policy of his government on Thursday last week. He is in custody of the agency till March 28.

Delhi HC to hear plea

The Delhi High Court has said that it will hear on Wednesday a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the remand order passed by a trial court in connection with the excise policy case.

The plea, which contends that his arrest and the remand order passed by a trial court were illegal and that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately, will be heard by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, the court said on Tuesday.

New Delhi, March 13 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal addresses during the inauguration of the 3-lane flyover stretch at Moti Nagar Ring Road in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

On March 23, the court had refused to immediately hear Kejriwal’s petition in the case.

Kejriwal’s legal team had sought an immediate hearing.

The ED, which was given the custody of Delhi CM till March 28 by the court, has alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.

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INDIA bloc to rally against Kejriwal’s arrest

Congress leader Subhash Chopra addresses the INDIA alliance press conference on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s alleged connection with the liquor policy scam. (ANI Photo)

Several leaders of the INDIA bloc have come out in support of Arvind Kejriwal and accused the BJP and the Union government of arm-twisting the opposition…reports Asian Lite News

INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc will hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to “save democracy” in India, Congress Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said on Sunday.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference by the Congress and AAP, allies in the INDIA bloc.

This comes days after the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier in the week on charges of corruption in the Delhi excise policy case, which was later scrapped.

Prominent leaders of the anti-BJP front are scheduled to attend the rally to “save the democracy of India,” Singh said.

“On March 31, INDIA India Alliance will hold a big rally in Delhi, and prominent leaders of the Alliance will address the rally, which won’t be just a political rally; it will be a call for the fight to save the democracy of India…,” Singh said.

Senior Aam Admi Party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai appealed to people in Delhi “to join them on that day.”

“To protest against what has been the killing of democracy, the INDIA alliance will hold a rally on March 31 at 10 am in Ramlila Maidan. We appeal to all the people from Delhi and the entire country, party workers, trader associations, and NGOs, to join us that day,” the AAP leader said.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in formulating and implementing the Delhi excise policy 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

Several leaders of the INDIA bloc have come out in support of Arvind Kejriwal and accused the BJP and the Union government of arm-twisting the opposition.

However, the BJP has denied all the allegations.

INDIA bloc is a coalition of over 20 opposition parties formed last year to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the general elections, dates for which were announced earlier in the month.

However, the exit of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was at the forefront of the alliance, dealt a blow to the bloc, which, as of now, is struggling to finalise the seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha elections.

Voting would be held in seven phases for the 543 parliamentary constituencies, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.

BJP intensifies attack

Bharatiya Janata Party Delhi unit workers on Sunday burned the “Holika” (effigy) of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in ED custody in connection with the liquor scam.

BJP workers also chanted slogans against the AAP government and demanded Kejriwal’s resignation at the earliest

The demonstration was led by BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal, who, was present with a large number of supporters at Santnagar Chowk, Ranibagh in Delhi.

Khandelwal said that BJP workers will continue to protest until Kejriwal resigns from the post. “Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is continuously violating the law. Law is the same for all. ED sent him nine summons even after that he did not consider it necessary to go answer questions. Today, we have gathered here because, after the allegations against Kejriwal, he should resign. Delhi BJP has decided that we will leave no stone unturned to oust Kejriwal until he resigns,” he said.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21, hours after the Delhi High Court rejected his petition seeking to restrain the central probe agency from taking any coercive action against him.

The arrest came hours after the Delhi HC rejected his petition seeking to restrain the central probe agency from taking any coercive action against him.

The case in question pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy in 2021-22. The policy was later scrapped in the face of allegations of irregularities.

Kejriwal, on Saturday, moved the Delhi High Court, challenging his arrest and the order of remand to the ED granted by the trial court on March 22.

The ED, which was given the custody of Delhi CM till March 28 by the lower court, alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) was the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.

Two AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial custody in the excise policy case. (ANI)

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INDIA bloc slams Centre for Kejriwal’s arrest

Opposition leaders question the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, with elections just days away and on a day when EC made the comprehensive electoral bond data public…reports Asian Lite News

Several political parties condemned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED on Thursday, claiming that it shows how “jittery” the ruling BJP at the Centre is with less than a month to go for the Lok Sabha polls.

The opposition parties also accused the BJP of indulging in vendetta politics. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday evening, officials said.

Reacting to the development, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are in “panic” over their impending rejection by people in the Lok Sabha polls.

“Strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi CM, Shri Arvind Kejriwal by the ED. It’s the second sitting CM of the INDIA bloc to be arrested,” Yechury said in a post on X. “Clearly, Modi and the BJP are in panic over people’s rejection in the ongoing elections,” he added. The Left leader said Kejriwal’s arrest will only “cement” people’s desire to defeat the BJP in the parliamentary polls.

“All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the ‘Satya Harishchandras’! These arrests will only cement people’s desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution,” he said.

CPI general secretary D Raja claimed that the BJP’s “desperation” before the general election is on full display.

“They know the hollowness of their claims of 400 seats and that’s why opposition is being targeted by abusing central agencies. The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and the arrest of then Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren show how jittery the BJP is. This harassment is only intended to intimidate the opposition.

“People will give a befitting answer to this in elections by throwing BJP out of power,” Raja said in a post on X.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) questioned the arrest at a time when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place.

“The election process has begun. And now this! Chiefs of political parties, CMs, political leaders, election agents, workers, every opponent being harassed and arrested like this. What will be the fate of our precious democracy,” the TMC’s Parliamentary Party leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a post on X.

“Let us all save democracy from impending disaster,” he added.

O’Brien condemned Kejriwal’s arrest and said the Election Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court should take action in the matter.

“We vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, an elected CM, especially when EC is in charge and MCC is in place. Earlier his administrative powers were snatched through an illegal ordinance,” he said.

“How can we expect fair elections in India if sitting CMs and prominent opposition leaders are arrested weeks before polls? If SC and ECI fail to act now, who will stand with people against BJP’s oppressive politics in future?” the TMC leader asked.

SC to hear Kejriwal’s plea

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea of the Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case.

A special bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela Trivedi will hear the matter. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned Kejriwal’s plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for an urgent hearing.

“If this process goes on, before the first vote is cast, a lot of senior leaders will be behind the bars. Please take it up,” Singhvi told the bench.

CJI then asked him to mention his plea before a special three-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, which was hearing the plea of BRS leader K Kavitha against her arrest by the ED in the liquor policy case, at that time.

However, by the time Singhvi reached Court number 2 of Justice Khanna, the special bench sitting had concluded and the regular two-judges bench of Justices Khanna and Dipankar Datta assembled.

Singhvi then mentioned the matter before Justice Khanna, saying the CJI asked him to mention the matter before him for hearing.

Justice Khanna told Singhvi that since it was a writ petition and would have to go before the three-judge special bench, which dealt with similar connected issues.

Justice Khanna then said that the special bench will assemble today after hearing the regular bench matters.

The petition was filed by Kejriwal, challenging the arrest by the ED last night subsequent to his arrest.  (ANI)

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Kejriwal says decision on pact with Cong in 2-3 days

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Congress and the AAP have mutually agreed that in Punjab, they will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election without having an alliance…reports Asian Lite News

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday admitted that the agreement on seat sharing arrangement in Delhi between the AAP and the Congress should have happened earlier.

“Let’s see what happens in the next two to three days. It has been delayed a lot, it should have happened earlier,” Kejriwal told reporters when asked about the seat sharing arrangement in Delhi with Congress.

Both parties are constituents of the opposition bloc INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).

Meanwhile, Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely today told reporters that he did not know whether the Congress will have an alliance with AAP in Delhi in the upcoming Lok Sabha election as he is not directly involved in the talks.

“I am not directly involved in whether we are having an alliance or not. A committee headed by Mukul Wasnik is involved so I will not be commenting on that,” Lovely told reporters.

Congress and the AAP have mutually agreed that in Punjab, they will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election without having an alliance.

“In Punjab, Congress and AAP have mutually agreed to contest the polls separately. There is no hostility over this…We are in talks with the Congress over an alliance in Delhi. We are discussing seat-sharing arrangements. The BJP will have it easy if there is no alliance (between AAP and Congress),” Kejriwal said on Sunday.

Kejriwal earlier launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying that if the ruling party at the Centre does not face defeat in this year’s general elections, then the Aam Aadmi Party “will make India free of BJP” rule in the next Lok Sabha elections.

“The biggest challenger of BJP is Aam Aadmi Party. Today if BJP is scared of anyone, it is AAP…With utmost responsibility, I want to say that if BJP does not lose Lok Sabha elections in 2024, then AAP will make India free from BJP (rule) in 2029,” Kejriwal said in the Delhi assembly.

He said AAP became a national party in a short span of time and now the party has governments in Delhi and Punjab. AAP won the trust vote in the Assembly.

Kejriwal said AAP has received historic mandates in Delhi, got a sizeable percentage of votes in Gujarat assembly polls and has five MLAs in the state and the party has two MLAs in Goa.

“This is no small feat…so today they are only afraid of the Aam Aadmi Party,” he said.

Kejriwal took a dig at those “who succumb to pressure and switch sides” and said those who resist, regardless of the legal consequences, are honest.

He said those switching sides may be needing “BJP’s protection” for their past deeds.

Referring to Manish Sisodia, who is facing ED and CBI probe in the excise policy case, Kejriwal alleged that a “lot of pressure was exerted” on the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister but he did not succumb. (ANI)

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War of words between Yogi, Kejriwal ahead of polls

He then went on to accuse the Delhi Chief Minister of “cutting electricity and water” for migrant labourers and forcing them to leave the city…reports Asian Lite News

The war of words between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal has intensified with the two leaders sharpening their claws on Twitter.

While Kejriwal said that his Uttar Pradesh counterpart was a “harsh and cruel ruler”, Yogi called the Delhi Chief Minister a “liar”.

The Twitter war on Monday night started after Kejriwal’s rebuttal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in Parliament that Delhi and Maharashtra contributed to the spread of Covid by enabling the migrant labourers to go home after the lockdown was declared in 2020.

“This statement of Prime Minister is a blatant lie. The country hopes that the Prime Minister will be sensitive to those who have suffered the pain in the Corona period, those who have lost their loved ones. It does not suit the Prime Minister to do politics on the sufferings of the people,” the Delhi Chief Minister said in a tweet in Hindi.

His Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also tweeted to say the Prime Minister’s statement was “false”.

Responding to the claim, Yogi said: “Today’s statement of Arvind Kejriwal about respected Prime Minister is highly condemnable. Arvind Kejriwal should apologise to the entire nation.”

He quoted a couplet from Goswami Tulsidas, the author of “Ram Charitmanas”, to elucidate his point.

“Kejriwal has a knack of telling lies. When the whole country was battling a global pandemic like Corona under the leadership of the respected Prime Minister, Kejriwal showed the migrant labourers the way out of Delhi.”

He then went on to accuse the Delhi Chief Minister of “cutting electricity and water” for migrant labourers and forcing them to leave the city.

“The electricity-water connection was cut and the sleeping people were picked up and sent to the UP border by buses. Announcement was made that in Anand Vihar, buses will be available for UP-Bihar. The UP government arranged buses for the migrant labourers and brought them back safely,” Yogi further tweeted.

In a direct post, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said: “Listen Kejriwal, You forced the workers of UP to leave Delhi when the entire humanity was groaning due to the pain of Corona. Your government did an undemocratic and inhuman act like leaving even small children and women helpless on the UP border in the middle of the night. Call you a traitor or…”

Kejriwal reacted with: “You should not say anything. When bodies were floating in the rivers, you were spending crores on appreciating yourself through advertisements in Time magazine. Have not seen a harsh and cruel ruler like you.”

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Owaisi, Kejriwal sent by BJP to split votes: Congress

He also urged the Trinamool Congress in Goa to support the Congress party in the poll-bound state to prevent division of votes…reports Asian Lite News

The Congress on Thursday likened Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s Asaduddin Owaisi, both of whom, the opposition party leader Randeep Surjewala said, were being sent to states by the BJP in order to split the anti-BJP votes.

“There are two people, which the BJP sends wherever it is losing. One is AIMIM and second is Kejriwal and AAP. They will wear separate hats, they will seem to be opposing the BJP. But let no Goan be mistaken. At the end of the day, AAP runs its government with the assistance and help of BJP,” Surjewala told a press conference in Panaji.

“There are imposters here who are BJP’s B-team. They are here to assist the BJP and provide cover fire. We need to be wary of such forces, who wear the white topi, but actually wear the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) colours inside,” he also said, while referring to the Aam Aadmi Party.

“Otherwise so many scams happened in Delhi, there is no way they would have been able to rule. He (Kejriwal) would have been behind bars, if 10 per cent of those scams were to be investigated and taken to a logical conclusion in a court of law,” Surjewala also said.

He also urged the Trinamool Congress in Goa to support the Congress party in the poll-bound state to prevent division of votes.

“In a democracy everybody has a right to fight, I’m not disputing their right, but in democracy everyone has to understand and comprehend and think and introspect whether by their act and deeds, knowingly or unknowingly, whether they are giving cover fire to the BJP,” Surjewala said.

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Kejriwal, Sawant spar over Parrikar son’s candidature

Kejriwal, during his recent visit to Goa, had also said that Utpal Parrikar was free to contest on an AAP ticket, if he wishes to…reports Asian Lite News

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday slammed his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being a hypocrite and of fishing in troubled waters.

Sawant’s criticism of Kejriwal came soon after the Delhi CM once again reached out to late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal to join the AAP, after the BJP rejected his claim to contest from the Panaji assembly constituency, a seat represented by his father since 1994.

“Hypocrisy! Person whose entire party & politics is based on shallow opportunism should brush up his memory & remind himself of his own filthy comments used against one of the greatest leaders Shri Manohar Bhai Parrikar. Mr. Opportunist…” Sawant said.

Earlier on Thursday, Kejriwal had tweeted: “Goans feel v sad that BJP has adopted use and throw policy even with Parrikar family. I have always respected Manohar Parrikar ji. Utpal ji is welcome to join and fight elections on AAP ticket”.

Kejriwal, during his recent visit to Goa, had also said that Utpal Parrikar was free to contest on an AAP ticket, if he wishes to.

Utpal Parrikar had put in a request with the BJP high command to contest from the Panaji seat. The BJP, which released its first list of 34 candidates for the February 14 Goa polls, has instead picked sitting BJP MLA Atanasio Monserrate as its candidate from Panaji. Monserrate, who faces charges of raping a minor and several other criminal cases including one involving leading a mob which attacked a city police station in 2008, had won the 2017 state assembly bypolls — which were facilitated after the death of Manohar Parrikar — on a Congress ticket. He had however joined the BJP along with nine other Congress MLAs in a midnight coup in 2019.

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