As political tensions rise ahead of the national elections in India during April-June, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has faced a significant setback with the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP anticipates garnering sympathy votes, but their competitors believe this will play to their advantage, expressing concerns about the continuity of the chief minister’s duties and the governance of Delhi. Protests erupted, and Delhi Police had to use water cannons to disperse protestors demanding Kejriwal’s resignation.
Despite being in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, Kejriwal refused to be deterred, issuing orders for the health minister to address shortages at clinics and hospitals. This action came ahead of a hearing in the Delhi High Court regarding his arrest on charges related to the now-terminated Delhi excise policy. Discussions also arose at Tihar Jail over Kejriwal’s potential imprisonment post-ED custody.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary landscape is witnessing shifts, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury extending an invitation to BJP’s Varun Gandhi, who was denied a Lok Sabha ticket, to join Congress. The Samajwadi Party opened its doors as well, suggesting a potential change in allegiances. In West Bengal, pre-election periods were marred with violence, reflecting the intensity of political rivalries in the state. Five individuals were injured in the confrontations between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters, adding to the pre-poll turmoil.
Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party is attempting a political comeback by forming a coalition that includes diverse social groups, while Congress announced new candidatures for various constituencies.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clashed with Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh over criticisms of the Atal Pension Yojana, igniting a discourse on policy efficacy and intent. Ramesh labeled the scheme as inadequate, suggesting it’s more about optics than actual benefit.
ED arrested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sparking a challenge in the Delhi High Court against the detention. The proceedings involved arguments over the need for expedited hearings and the opposing side’s request for time to prepare a detailed reply. Despite being in custody, Kejriwal’s legal team withdrew a Supreme Court petition in favor of addressing the remand proceedings at the trial court.
The ED’s case against Kejriwal is intertwined with a CBI investigation that alleges policy corruption to benefit certain licensees. Connecting him as a key conspirator, other AAP leaders along with a Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader have also been arrested. The opposition has refuted the charges and accused the government of manipulating agencies for political gain. Amidst the controversy, AAP maintains that Kejriwal, even from custody, continues to govern and prioritize the welfare of Delhi’s citizens.