Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested on Thursday following a visit by a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to his residence. The arrest came after the Delhi High Court announced earlier in the day that it would not provide any protection to Kejriwal regarding coercive action in the excise policy case.
The arrest sparked immediate reactions from various political figures. Gopal Rai, a Delhi Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), condemned the arrest, calling it a “murder of democracy” and an example of dictatorship. Rai announced plans for protests, urging people to assemble at the ITO party at 10 am the following day and calling for nationwide protests outside all BJP offices. AAP minister Gopal Rai also called for nationwide protests outside all BJP offices, as well as a protest by AAP members outside ITO on Friday at 10 am.
Despite appeals for special hearings from Arvind Kejriwal’s supporters, sources indicated that there would be no special Supreme Court hearing for him on Thursday night.
Upon his arrest, Arvind Kejriwal was taken to the ED office after 11 pm on Thursday. While supporters of Kejriwal condemned the arrest as an attack on democracy, BJP leaders welcomed the action, stating that it was necessary for justice to prevail.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin criticized the BJP government, accusing them of abusing power and undermining democracy. Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad urged for letting the law take its course.
Other political figures, including BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, expressed contrasting views on Kejriwal’s arrest, with Tiwari stating that justice was being served and Mufti slamming the arrest as political vendetta.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized the arrest, labeling it as an attempt to silence opposition voices ahead of elections. Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely condemned the arrest as an act of fear by the BJP, stating that Congress would stand in solidarity with AAP against such actions.
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has thus triggered a flurry of reactions across the political spectrum
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, had been under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the excise policy case. Reports suggest that he had been avoiding summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which ultimately led to his arrest. This development has sparked intense political speculation, with many interpreting it as a significant move amidst the charged atmosphere of the 2024 elections. A prominent Delhi Minister and AAP leader, Atishi, already indicated that his arrest could take place shortly.
AAP leader Atishi has also spoken out against the arrest, stating, “We have put an application in the Supreme Court against the illegal arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. It will be mentioned in the Supreme Court tomorrow morning. We hope that the Supreme Court will protect democracy” Her remarks underscore the party’s determination to challenge the arrest through legal avenues, seeking recourse to uphold democratic principles in the face of what they perceive as unjust actions.
Speculations abound regarding who might assume the reins of Delhi’s governance following Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. While AAP leaders have affirmed that Kejriwal won’t resign, the uncertainty looms large. There’s a prevailing notion that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi may step in and dismiss the CM, invoking constitutional provisions in the event of a leadership vacuum. This potential scenario adds to the intrigue surrounding Delhi’s political landscape, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments as they unfold.
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Aastha Kumari