 "'First time in country's history': AAP slams BJP for Arvind Kejriwal's arrest")
Hours after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged involvement in an excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday, a leader from his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Atishi called her leader’s arrest “BJP’s political conspiracy”.
First time a sitting CM has been arrested
Addressing a press conference on Friday, the Delhi Minister further said, “It is the first time that a sitting chief minister has been arrested by the Central government. In the country’s history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national convenor of a national party has been arrested.”
“Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest is BJP’s political conspiracy,” she added.
Kejriwal’s arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency.
#WATCH | On Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, AAP leader & Delhi Minister Atishi says, "It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested by Central government. In the country's history, it is the first time that after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the national… pic.twitter.com/HxaviLfIUU
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
‘Hope Supreme Court will protect democracy’
Soon after he was arrested on Thursday evening, Kejriwal’s legal team made an urgent mention of his petition challenging his arrest before the Supreme Court registrar, but no special bench was set up.
The Delhi CM’s plea is likely to be listed for hearing on Friday (March 22).
At the press conference on Friday, Atishi said: “We (AAP) hope that today as well Supreme Court will protect democracy in the country.
‘BJP doesn’t want Kejriwal to campaign for Lok Sabha polls’
“If this is not about damaging a level playing field, then what is it?… BJP wants that Arvind Kejriwal should not be able to campaign in Lok Sabha elections…We are in touch with INDIA bloc leaders, they have expressed solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal,” Atishi added.
The 55-year-old leader’s arrest, amid campaign for the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, drew angry reactions from AAP.
Kejriwal to continue as Delhi CM
The AAP said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister of Delhi and if need be, he will run the government from jail.
But is it possible for Kejriwal to continue as Delhi Chief Minister even after being arrested, is the pertinent question running in minds of many people.
According to the RPA (Representation of People Act), 1951 - until proven guilty, an elected representative does not have to quit.
However , there is a moral question of consuming in office while being chief minister
Since , Kejriwal has not resigned, he becomes the first sitting chief minister to be arrested .
Lalu Yadav and most recently Hemant Soren had resigned before they were arrested.
However , Kejriwal would need some relief from the court or the jail to be able to carry on being the chief minister.
If Kejriwal decides to remain CM, LG may cite ‘breakdown of Constitutional machinery’ and recommend Presidents rule under section 239 AB
The LG can also cite the same reason to dismiss the govt under section 239 AA.
AAP calls for nationwide protest
Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has called for nationwide protests outside the BJP offices on Friday following the arrest of their party leader.
Most part of Delhi has turned into fortress as security has been heightened ahead of AAP led protest in the national capital.
The police have closed all roads leading to the AAP headquarters and no cars are allowed in the area. Meanwhile, the party has summoned all its office-bearers, ministers and councillors at the main office at 10 am.
Water cannons and paramilitary forces have also been deployed on the DDU road, which leads to the BJP headquarters.
#WATCH | Police bolsters security at ITO near Aam Aadmi Party office in Delhi, following the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in liquor policy case pic.twitter.com/Z1i8aks2Xi
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
The ITO Metro station will stay shut between 8 am and 6 pm on Friday on the advice of Delhi Police, the Delhi Metro said.
Service Update
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 22, 2024
On advice of Delhi Police, ITO Metro station will remain closed from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM today i.e, 22nd March 2024.
With inputs from agencies
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