Last Updated:
The AAP is bound to use the development to make the point that the BJP is rattled and is once again misusing agencies to arm-twist its opponents
The AAP will try to incur sympathy and use the L-G’s nod to reach out to its voters for Delhi polls. (PTI)
Delhi L-G VK Saxena’s go-ahead to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has heated up the scene for Delhi polls that could take place in February.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was formed on the plank of ending corruption, with Kejriwal projecting himself as a “clean politician”. However, the BJP and Congress have relentlessly attacked and questioned these credentials.
The first reaction to the L-G’s move came from Kejriwal’s aide and former deputy CM Manish Sisodia who said on X: “If the L-G has given the go-ahead to ED to prosecute, then where is the copy of this? It’s clear this is a rumour.” In fact, all AAP leaders have questioned and asked for proof of the L-G’s approval.
Whatever may be the case, the AAP is bound to use the development to make the point that the BJP is rattled and is once again misusing agencies to arm-twist its opponents. Not just this, AAP will also try to incur sympathy and use this to reach out to its voters for Delhi polls.
But, for the BJP, this is proof they would want to flaunt to show that the AAP is soaked in corruption — right up to the top. It maintains that the liquor-gate issue is one which shows that the former chief minister is the “kingpin” and he cannot escape culpability. They are also making the point that the ED note gives evidence of hotel stay and money emanating from the former CM’s office and if he comes back to power, corruption will be at its peak, with benefits not going to the people.
BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva has said: “It is clear that Kejriwal is the kingpin of the Delhi excise policy scam and as investigation progresses, he will be punished.”
For the BJP, it’s a do-or-die battle. Being out of power in Delhi for the last 12 years, it’s important for the party to bounce back and ensure that one of the bastions of the INDIA bloc crumbles. BJP knows that if AAP loses in Delhi, Punjab too could be up for grabs.
For the Congress, it’s a tough fight. However, despite the flip-flop in the party over the alliance with AAP, the Congress has decided to fight back. In fact, Sheila Dikshit’s son and former MP Sandeep Dikshit has been fielded opposite Kejriwal. He told News18 recently: “This was expected and it is something that should have been done earlier. There was enough evidence to prosecute him.”
Interestingly, it was the Congress that had first raised the liquor-gate issue against Kejriwal when they were not friends.
For now, the game is on and the BJP and AAP will fight on the corruption slogan in the battle for Delhi.
What is the excise scam?
The excise case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
L-G Saxena had recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. Subsequently, the ED registered a case under the PMLA.
Kejriwal, 55, and the AAP have been named as accused in the supplementary charge sheet filed in the case. Regarding Kejriwal’s role, the 209-page charge sheet said, “Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi is the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi excise scam in collusion with ministers of Delhi govt, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and other persons.”
“Arvind Kejriwal has directly used part of these proceeds of crime personally by making Chanpreet Singh (another accused in the case) make payment for Sh Arvind Kejriwal’s stay and event at the Grand Hyatt, Goa,” the agency claimed. It said that Kejriwal also “mingled” these proceeds of crime with the funds of the Delhi government.
It has been alleged that the ‘South Group’ of politicians and liquor businessmen gave Rs 100 crore worth of kickbacks to gain a favourable position in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22 and out of these funds, Rs 45 crore was sent for the AAP campaign in Goa during the 2022 assembly polls.
