Last week, the capital’s political atmosphere was charged when Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to a controversial Delhi liquor policy that is no longer in effect. Scheduled to conclude, Kejriwal’s initial custody duration may face extension as investigative authorities pursue deeper inquiries.
Currently, Kejriwal is detained at the ED’s Delhi office, signifying the seriousness with which the matter is being handled. The Delhi High Court dismissed an attempt by Kejriwal to contest his arrest and has allocated time until April 2 for the investigative agency to make their case.
The ED’s scrutiny stems from their belief that the scrapped policy allowed retailers and wholesalers to make exorbitant profits up to 185% and 12%, respectively. Allegedly, over Rs 600 crore in bribes were unearthed from the operation, which reportedly were used to fund AAP’s electoral campaigns in Goa and Punjab, according to the agency’s claims.
Mrs. Sunita Kejriwal, the Chief Minister’s spouse, vocalized a promise of an imminent major disclosure from her husband regarding the contentious liquor policy proceedings. Furthermore, she has attacked the BJP for targeting Kejriwal, even as he directed his duties from incarceration, steering state affairs amidst the crisis.
Kejriwal’s governance from behind bars, with directives to his ministers from his cell, sparked protests by the BJP, who called for his resignation. Nonetheless, Kejriwal’s enduring role as the Chief Minister is staunchly upheld by his party, marking a unique scenario where political leadership contends with legal entanglements.
In the meantime, Sunita Kejriwal has embraced a prominent public role since her husband’s detainment. Through public addresses and video messages, she has relayed messages from Kejriwal and defended him against the allegations, comparing her emergent role to Rabri Devi’s who stepped into leadership when her husband Lalu Prasad Yadav faced legal issues.
Sunita’s communications allege an upcoming significant revelation that her husband is poised to disclose, which purportedly will shed light on the particulars of the scam’s finances. Amidst Kejriwal’s health concerns due to diabetes, his resolve remains unbroken as per Sunita’s testimonial.
Distinctions between Sunita Kejriwal’s emerging stance and historical political precedents in India, such as Rabri Devi’s ascension during her husband’s incarceration, have become points of comparison and political discourse. Sunita’s doubling as her husband’s messenger and defendant has led critics to question the implications for political proceedings and the image of AAP’s leadership.