Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a meeting with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmakers to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons. Last week, tensions escalated in Delhi after the ED ordered Mr. Kejriwal to appear and provide a statement regarding allegations that the AAP received bribes in exchange for favorable liquor policies.
However, Mr. Kejriwal refused to comply with the summons, deeming them “illegal and politically motivated.” Instead, he traveled to Madhya Pradesh to campaign for the upcoming elections, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of constantly threatening him with arrest. He questioned how the BJP could arrest his thoughts, even if they could arrest his physical body.
The ED’s summons and the subsequent backlash from the AAP have led to speculations that Mr. Kejriwal might be arrested. AAP leaders and opposition politicians have accused the BJP of weaponizing the ED to target and harass rival leaders, especially before elections.
In February, Mr. Kejriwal’s former deputy, Manish Sisodia, was arrested in the same liquor policy case. He was later arrested by the ED as well. Last month, AAP MP Sanjay Singh was also arrested on money laundering charges related to the liquor policy case.
Mr. Sisodia, who has been in jail for nearly two months, was recently denied bail by the Supreme Court. The court stated that a tentative money trail of Rs 338 crore had been established. Mr. Singh has also filed a plea with the Supreme Court, but it has not yet been heard. The Delhi High Court had previously refused to intervene in his arrest, citing a lack of evidence of political motives.
The ED claims that the Rs 338 crore mentioned by the Supreme Court was illegally earned by private individuals who received liquor licenses under the now-abolished policy. It is alleged that the AAP used this money to fund its election campaign in Goa.
The meeting called by Mr. Kejriwal with AAP lawmakers aims to address the escalating political tension and strategize the party’s response to the ED’s summons. The AAP continues to maintain that the summons are politically motivated and an attempt to undermine their party.
