New Delhi, March 21, (Reuters) – Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was detained by India’s financial crime agency on Thursday about graft accusations involving the city’s liquor policy, according to his party. This is a setback for the opposition before of elections.
In a twist before the national elections, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal was arrested. He was once known for fighting corruption but is now in the middle of it. His arrest has surprised many in India. He was seen as tough competition for the main parties. Now, his arrest might change the game for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The arrest shakes things up, especially for the opposition. It looks like rough times are ahead for those going against the ruling party. The issue is about new rules on liquor sales in the capital. This matter has created a lot of talk, leading to Kejriwal’s arrest and making it a big national topic.
The AAP is protesting their innocence strongly. Kejriwal, once a key figure, is facing charges but remains strong. He’s fighting to keep his party’s image clean and looking ahead to the elections. As protests outside his house get louder, his legal fight takes more attention. This scene might head to the Supreme Court soon.
Many might wonder what’s next for the AAP. it grew from the ground to challenge Delhi’s big names. How will all this affect the AAP in the coming elections? Will Kejriwal’s situation shake the party’s strength?
Key Points
- Delhi’s Chief Minister, an anti-corruption advocate, faces a serious graft allegation.
- Arrests of AAP leaders highlight tensions before India’s national elections.
- Kejriwal’s noncompliance with summons from ED points to fears of arrest impact on elections.
- Public protests erupt, reflecting discontent among party supporters and allies.
- Kejriwal’s arrest raises questions about the AAP’s resilience and future strategies.
The Rise of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and His Party’s Growth
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s journey is like no other. He started as a fighter against corruption. Now, he leads Delhi, showing how to govern well. His change from an activist to a top-level politician has reshaped India’s cities.
Kejriwal’s Anti-Corruption Crusade and the Founding of AAP
In 2012, Arvind Kejriwal started the Aam Aadmi Party. People wanted honest leaders and his party answered that call. Kejriwal’s work got big recognition, winning the Ramon Magsaysay Award. This was for fighting corruption with the Parivartan movement.
Aam Aadmi Party’s Political Elevation in Indian Politics
In 2015, Delhi’s people gave AAP a big win. They got 67 of 70 seats in the election. This showed their strong dedication to corruption. Then in 2020, they won again. It proved they were still the choice for the city.
Significant Wins for AAP in Punjab and Gujarat Elections
The AAP did well outside Delhi, too. In 2022, they dominated Punjab, winning 92 seats out of 117. This win set them up as a force in Punjab, a key state. In Gujarat, they also did good, showing they are a strong choice after the big national parties.
AAP’s success is not just in winning votes. It shows their policies and leadership are trusted. Key programs for women and plans to improve Delhi reflect their vision for better governance.
| Election Year | Seats Won in Delhi | Seats Won in Punjab | Voter Percentage in Gujarat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 67 | N/A | N/A |
| 2017 | N/A | 20 | N/A |
| 2020 | 62 | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | N/A | 92 | 12.92% |
Every win adds to AAP’s influence in India. Arvind Kejriwal keeps working for a clean political system. His efforts as the Delhi CM and as a national leader are inspiring.
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Understanding the Allegations: Delhi’s Liquor Policy and Graft Claims
Delhi’s recent changes in how it sells liquor have led to a lot of attention. The city made big changes in its liquor sales with the 2020 policy. This new policy aimed to make the liquor market more open. But, it caused a lot of talk and was looked at closely by the Enforcement Directorate. They’re checking for any signs of corruption linked to the new policy.
Delhi Government’s Liquor Policy of 2022: A Controversial Shift
The Delhi government wanted to change how liquor is sold in the city. It made a new policy that gave less power to the government. This was supposed to help private stores and do good for the economy. But, it looked like some people took advantage. They made a lot of money when they shouldn’t have. Now, this issue is under big investigation.
Allegations of Undue Private Retailer Advantages and Policy Withdrawal
A special group of 14 liquor sellers seems to have made too much money. They got a lot, about 3.38 billion rupees ($41 million) extra. This raised red flags about corruption. It looked like a few people were getting rich off of this policy. This made the public think the policy was not fair.
Because of this pressure, the government had to cancel the policy. This move was a big step back. It showed that making big changes can be hard. This is especially true when corruption is suspected.
Political Repercussions: AAP’s Response and Public Protest
The political scene in India got lively with Arvind Kejriwal’s recent arrest. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its big following reacted strongly. They are against the Section 144 rule, which aims to calm down public worry. Over 50 people were arrested already. This has made things more tense in New Delhi. The AAP says this arrest is wrong, like an attack on choosing leaders. They think the BJP might make a big mistake with this move.
Supporters Protests and Clashes With Security Forces
After Arvind Kejriwal arrest, the AAP asked its supporters to show opposition nationwide. This led to many strong protests, some ending in conflicts with the police. The closing of the ITO station by DMRC shows they expect more trouble ahead. Protests are planned to last a long time. It shows a time of being very careful in Delhi. There’s a clear struggle between what people think is right and what the government insists on.
AAP Calls Arrest ‘Dirty Politics’ and Seeks Supreme Court Intervention
The AAP says Arvind Kejriwal arrest was to pressure him, called ‘dirty politics’ by the BJP. Now, AAP wants the top court to step in for fair treatment. Even with the Delhi High Court saying the arrest was legal, Arvind Kejriwal supporters want him out. They see this as not just about him but about how democracy works.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is looking into claims that private merchants received unfair advantages from a liquor policy that the Delhi government put in place in 2022, ending governmental control over the sale of alcohol in the capital. Then the policy was taken off the table. According to the AAP, the probe has turned up no proof of wrongdoing, and Kejriwal has already declared that “no one in this world who is honest” if he is dishonest.
According to local media, he will appear in court on Friday, when the charges against him will be made public. The directorate did not immediately provide a statement.
He had already received nine summonses for questioning by the ED. Kejriwal declined to respond, stating that he was afraid of being taken into custody if he showed up to be questioned. Additionally, he asked the court for protection against arrest, arguing that doing so would hurt his party’s chances of winning elections. On social media, opposition parties voiced their concerns. Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress, wrote: “The arrest of elected Chief Ministers has become a common thing.”
As a constituent of the 27-party ‘INDIA’ bloc, the AAP aims to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming national elections, which are scheduled to start on April 19.
Motivated Smear Campaign
The BJP, which owns the Enforcement Directorate and administers the federal government, is waging a politically motivated smear campaign against certain opposition figures, according to the alliance, which has dismissed graft probes against them. The BJP disputes any involvement in politics.
In a related case from the previous year, the CBI detained Sanjay Singh, an AAP MP, and Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal’s deputy. Following their 2013 election victory in Delhi, the AAP went on to win a landslide in the state of Punjab in the north and a few of seats in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in 2022.
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