Kejriwal's Scathing Attack on Modi After Supreme Court Bail
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after securing interim bail from the Supreme Court in the liquor policy case, launched a fierce verbal assault on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of seeking to stifle the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Upon his release from Tihar Jail, Kejriwal greeted his supporters and party workers with an affectionate air kiss. Earlier in the day, he had visited the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place with his wife Sunita. Kejriwal, who had spent 40 days in judicial custody, was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and Delhi minister Atishi.
Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 stemmed from alleged money laundering connected to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The interim bail was granted to facilitate his participation in the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign.
In a subsequent press conference at the party headquarters, Kejriwal asserted that Prime Minister Modi harbored an ambition to crush the AAP and had simultaneously jailed four of its leaders. He denounced Modi as a dictator and warned that opposition leaders would face imprisonment if the BJP retained power.
Their message is clear: if they can arrest Kejriwal, they can arrest anyone. This mission is titled 'One Nation, One Leader', Kejriwal asserted.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the event, hailed Kejriwal as an embodiment of an idea rather than an individual. He expressed confidence that the AAP's electoral prospects had received a significant boost following Kejriwal's release.
Interim bail granted to Kejriwal expires on June 1, necessitating his return to prison thereafter. AAP leaders expressed optimism that this would revitalize the party's and the broader opposition bloc's campaign in the crucial phases of the Lok Sabha polls.
Opposition figures welcomed Kejriwal's interim bail, recognizing it as an impetus for the fight to preserve democracy. Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj indicated that Kejriwal would embark on a nationwide election campaign.
The BJP attempted to minimize the significance of Kejriwal's bail, emphasizing its temporary nature and the ongoing investigation into the liquor policy case.
Kejriwal's arrest by the ED centered on alleged corruption and money laundering during the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's now-abandoned excise policy for 2021-22.
AAP has vehemently refuted corruption allegations against Kejriwal, labeling them a political conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP out of fear of his influence and desire to curtail his election campaign. The BJP has dismissed AAP's claims.
