Delhi Chief Minister Arrested in Corruption Scandal Prior to National Elections
The arrest of the Delhi chief minister by Indian authorities in a corruption scandal has sparked controversy, with opposition parties accusing the government of political motives just ahead of the upcoming general election. The move comes amidst heightened tensions and allegations of strategic maneuvers in the political landscape.
Indian authorities arrested Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent opposition politician, on Thursday in connection with an alleged corruption case. Opposition parties believe that this move by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a political tactic just weeks before the general election.
Law enforcement officials from the Enforcement Directorate, a federal financial crime agency, carried out the arrest at Kejriwal's house on Thursday evening. Kejriwal is not only the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but also the chief minister of Delhi.
The agency is looking into claims that an alcohol policy introduced by the Delhi government in 2022, which removed its control over liquor sales in the capital, may have unfairly benefited private retailers. This policy was later cancelled. According to Reuters, leaders from his party have stated that there is no proof of any wrongdoing found during the investigation.
Kejriwal's supporters and members of other opposition parties protested outside his residence in Delhi, accusing the arrest of being a political maneuver by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Aam Aadmi Party supporters protest as Enforcement Directorate personnel arrive to arrest their leader Arvind Kejriwal at his home in New Delhi, India, on March 21, 2024.
Aam Aadmi Party supporters protest as Enforcement Directorate personnel arrive to arrest their leader Arvind Kejriwal at his home in New Delhi, India, on March 21, 2024.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad supported the financial crime agency's actions, stating to local media that it is a legal process aimed at addressing corruption. He emphasized the importance of letting the law proceed accordingly.
Just weeks before India's upcoming general election, the AAP party, part of an alliance with 26 opposition parties, saw one of its members arrested.
Atishi Singh, a member of AAP and Delhi's Finance Minister, assured the public that Arvind Kejriwal would continue to serve as chief minister. She even mentioned that Kejriwal would manage the government from jail if necessary.
Singh later said on X that the party had asked the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing to quash the arrest.
Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a public rally in Guwahati on April 2, 2023.
Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a public rally in Guwahati on April 2, 2023.
Biju Boro/AFP/Getty Images/File
Kejriwal is known for being one of the strongest critics of the Indian prime minister and the ruling BJP.
"The timing of these arrests, right before the elections, and the involvement of the agency are disgraceful," commented Arvinder Singh Lovely, the Delhi chief of India's main opposition Congress party.
Kejriwal was arrested shortly after the Congress party accused the BJP of using the tax department to harm their finances. The Congress party said that their bank accounts were frozen by the department, preventing them from accessing around $20 million in funds.
CNN has reached out to the Enforcement Directorate and to the lawyers of Kejriwal and is yet to hear back.
Editor's P/S:
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent opposition politician, has sparked outrage and accusations of political maneuvering by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The timing of the arrest, just weeks before the general election, has raised concerns about the use of the Enforcement Directorate, a federal financial crime agency, to target political opponents. The opposition parties believe that this move is an attempt to suppress dissent and silence Kejriwal, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The allegations of corruption stem from an alcohol policy introduced by the Delhi government in 2022, which removed its control over liquor sales in the capital. The policy was later canceled, and the Enforcement Directorate is investigating claims that it may have unfairly benefited private retailers. However, Kejriwal's supporters and members of other opposition parties have denounced the arrest as politically motivated and have vowed to continue their fight against the ruling party. The Supreme Court has been approached for an urgent hearing to quash the arrest, and the outcome of the case will be closely watched as India prepares for its upcoming general election.
