Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been arrested in connection with a liquor policy case, sparking protests organized by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in New Delhi. Despite his arrest, the AAP asserts that Kejriwal will continue to serve as the chief minister, even if it means operating from jail.
1. Several AAP workers were detained during the protests at the party headquarters, with some forcibly taken away by buses. The Delhi Police increased security along routes leading to the Prime Minister’s residence, and certain Metro stations were closed for security reasons.
2. Responding to Kejriwal’s arrest, the BJP denounced his proposed “work from jail” plan as deceitful and arranged a sizable march from the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium to the Delhi Secretariat.
3. Gopal Rai, a Delhi minister, expressed public outrage over Kejriwal’s arrest, highlighting widespread discontent among the people regarding the manner of his detention.
4. Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely criticized the BJP, questioning the democratic validity of the arrest and alleging bias against opposition parties.
5. The BJP has insisted on Kejriwal’s resignation as chief minister following his arrest, but the AAP remains steadfast in its support for his continuation in office.
6. AAP leaders changed their social media profile pictures to images of Kejriwal behind bars, demonstrating solidarity with their leader.
7. Kejriwal, through a message conveyed by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, urged people to continue working for society and refrain from harbouring hatred, even toward the ruling BJP.
8. Despite being in custody, Kejriwal issued his first directive from the Enforcement Directorate lock-up, reaffirming his commitment to serving the people of Delhi.
9. The Delhi High Court is scheduled to review Kejriwal’s request challenging his arrest and the lower court’s decision to grant custody to the Enforcement Directorate for seven days.
10. Kejriwal’s arrest is based on allegations by the Enforcement Directorate concerning a now-defunct policy that allegedly provided excessively high-profit margins for liquor retailers and wholesalers.
The ongoing protests and legal proceedings underscore the political tension surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest and its potential implications for the AAP’s leadership in Delhi.
