High Paced Drama As Arvind Kejriwal’s Family Under House Arrest, Opposition Cries Its A “Murder Of Democracy”, India Is Under Undeclared “Emergency”; A Setback For Country’s Opposition Before National Elections, A Well Oiled Conspiracy?
India's political arena is currently ablaze with controversy and tension as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is cornered. Reports of his family being placed under house arrest, coupled with allegations of a political conspiracy, have got opposition parties on a roll. As the high-voltage drama unfurls, the AAP party has raised allegations regarding the integrity of India's democratic institutions and the motivations behind Kejriwal's arrest, raising concerns about the state of democracy in the country. Also, India, the world's largest democracy, is due for elections in less than a month, challenging the timing.
Ahead of Arvind Kejriwal’s hearing at the top court; Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s family has been placed under house arrest, according to statements made by Delhi Minister Gopal Rai.
Minister Atishi minced no words as she addressed a conference, saying that this is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by the Central government.
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 BJP’s political conspiracy,” said Delhi’s Education Minister.
The news comes in the middle of a storm of controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest from his official residence followed the Delhi High Court’s refusal to intervene in his plea for protection against coercive action by the ED in the excise policy case.
The unfolding situation has sparked widespread condemnation, with many crying foul over what they perceive as a “murder of democracy” and an undeclared “emergency” in India.
Even as events unfold, there are indications that Rahul Gandhi may meet with Arvind Kejriwal’s family.
In response to the arrest, AAP leader Gopal Rai announced plans for nationwide protests, scheduled in direct response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s actions against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi denounced the arrest as a clear conspiracy, citing the lack of evidence of any proceeds of crime despite two years of investigation by the ED and CBI.
She questioned the need for deploying thousands of police personnel and paramilitary forces when the Delhi High Court had already issued notice to the ED.
Several AAP leaders echoed Atishi’s sentiments, alleging that the arrest was aimed at preventing the chief minister from approaching the Supreme Court after the high court’s decision not to grant him interim relief from coercive action.
Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the ED, and in which case?
Kejriwal is embroiled in allegations of corruption related to the city’s liquor policy.
The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday is part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in connection with the excise policy case in Delhi, commonly referred to as the Delhi Liquor Scam or LiquorGate, which involves corruption allegations linked to the implementation of Delhi’s Excise Policy from 2021 to 2022.
On the advice of the Delhi Police, the ITO Metro station in Delhi will remain closed from 8 am to 6 pm today.
Security has been beefed up outside the ED office and near the BJP headquarters in anticipation of protests by AAP leaders and workers against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
AAP leader Gopal Rai has announced plans for nationwide protests against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Bharatiya Janata Party, inviting the INDIA bloc to join.
Questioning The Timing
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has sent ripples of dissent through India’s opposition political parties and leaders, especially considering the proximity to the upcoming national elections.
Kejriwal’s detention is being perceived as a significant setback for the country’s opposition forces, less than a month before the scheduled commencement of all the crucial elections in the world’s largest democracy.
In his capacity as the Chief Minister, Kejriwal holds the reins of governance in Delhi, the national capital and a city that is home to over 16 million residents.
Hence, it comes as no surprise that his leadership in such a critical region only amplifies the impact of his arrest on the national political stage.
Kejriwal’s political party stands as a prominent member of the opposition coalition challenging the ruling Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Given the critical juncture of the impending elections, Kejriwal’s arrest has ramifications beyond the confines of Delhi’s political scene; it reverberates across the entire nation, shaping narratives, influencing voter perceptions, and potentially altering the course of the electoral dynamics.
The Last Bit, The timing of Kejriwal’s detention, against the backdrop of a fiercely contested electoral battle, raises suspicions of political motivations and strategic manoeuvres even as the entire fiasco of electoral bonds has come to the forefront.
It underlines the high stakes involved in the political arena, where every action and event can have far-reaching implications for the nearing elections and for the country’s future course.
