Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has leveled fresh accusations against the ruling party, alleging that they are targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to get to him. Meanwhile, AAP’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has called out the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) for falsely accusing Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case. The developments come amidst a growing rift between the AAP and the ruling party.
The ongoing tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ruling party has taken a new turn, with a new statement made by Arvind Kejriwal in response to the recent accusations made by Manish Sisodia, his deputy, against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy case.
The Delhi government had introduced a new liquor policy in 2022, which aimed to reduce the number of liquor shops in residential areas and increase the minimum age for alcohol consumption from 21 to 25. However, the policy was met with opposition from some quarters, with allegations of corruption and favoritism in the allocation of licenses.
The CBI and ED had initiated an investigation into the matter, with both agencies summoning Kejriwal and Sisodia for questioning. However, Sisodia had accused the agencies of falsely implicating him and Kejriwal in the case, stating that they had lied in their investigation reports and fabricated evidence against them.
In response to these accusations, Arvind Kejriwal accused the ruling party of using the CBI and ED to target AAP leaders and to undermine the Delhi government. He stated that the BJP was afraid of the AAP’s growing popularity and was resorting to such tactics to try and discredit the party.
This is not the first time that the AAP has accused the Government at the Center of targeting its leaders. In 2020, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had accused the ruling party of trying to destabilize the AAP government by targeting its ministers with false allegations.
Arvind Kejriwal vs Ruling Party
The accusations made by Sisodia and Kejriwal come at a time when the AAP is gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections in several states. The party has been making efforts to expand its presence beyond Delhi and has been eyeing states such as Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa.
The ruling party, on the other hand, has been targeting the AAP over issues such as the Delhi riots, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and alleged corruption in the Delhi government. The party has also been trying to project itself as the alternative to the AAP in Delhi and other states.
As the political battle between the AAP and the ruling party intensifies, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact the upcoming elections and the future of the two parties. While the AAP has accused the ruling party of targeting its leaders, the ruling parry has denied any such allegations and has stated that the CBI and ED are independent agencies that operate without political interference.
