New Delhi:

The BJP lashed out at Arvind Kejriwal Monday after the Enforcement Directorate stated the Delhi Chief Minister gave “false and contradictory proof (relating to) different members of (his) AAP” in interrogation. The BJP additionally pointed to Mr Kejriwal – the “kingpin” within the liquor coverage rip-off – reportedly calling AAP colleagues “confused” when requested about their statements.

The sharp assaults got here shortly after Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court docket was instructed Mr Kejriwal had given “evasive replies” and hid info related to the investigation into the alleged rip-off.

The court docket was listening to a plea by the ED in search of judicial remand of the Chief Minister for 15 days; the request was granted, with Mr Kejriwal – arrested final month – despatched to Delhi’s Tihar Jail until April 15.

READ | Kejriwal Despatched To Jail After Probe Company Claims He is “Uncooperative”

Particularly, the company claimed Mr Kejriwal stated former AAP comms boss Vijay Nair reported to Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj and never himself, and that his “interplay with Mr Nair was (of) restricted” period. The ED, nevertheless, pointed to Mr Nair’s statements to it, wherein he claims he stayed in a bungalow allotted to a cupboard minister and labored from Mr Kejriwal’s workplace.

“… there are stories Arvind Kejriwal stated prime accused Vijay Nair used to report back to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Delhi Authorities’s liquor coverage scenario is turning into clearer. It’s to be seen if Kejriwal resigns or heads in the direction of a brand new politics…” BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated.

Mr Kejriwal reportedly additionally made contradictory statements when requested about ND Gupta; in response to the ED, Mr Kejriwal first recognised Mr Gupta as a senior chief with data of the occasion’s functioning. However he backtracked after a press release about Mr Kejriwal’s position within the alleged rip-off.

The BJP pounced on these, and different arguments made by the ED in court docket as we speak to assault Delhi’s ruling AAP and name (once more) for Mr Kejriwal’s resignation on “ethical and Constitutional grounds”. Mr Trivedi delivered the jabs with Shazia Ilmi – with the AAP until she joined the BJP in 2015 – by his aspect.

The BJP as we speak additionally attacked Mr Kejriwal over “ethical and Constitutional questions” and mocked the anti-corruption activist-turned-politician for having “modified his guru (trainer)”.

READ | Arvind Kejriwal As soon as Raised His Voice Towards Liquor, However…: Anna Hazare

“Anna Hazare was once his (Mr Kejriwal’s) guru. The guru stated he wouldn’t be a part of politics, however the self-discipline joined and have become Chief Minister. Now he has modified his guru… now the guru is Lalu Prasad Yadav,” Mr Trivedi ranted, referring to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Mr Yadav was pressured to resign as Chief Minister after being convicted in corruption scams.

“Lalu Yadav at the very least resigned when he was going to jail (the Rashtriya Janata Dal patriarch handed the reigns to his spouse, Rabri Devi) however he (Mr Kejriwal) hasn’t resigned but,” Mr Trivedi sneered.

#WATCH | On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal despatched to judicial custody until April 15, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi says, “…Those that tried to painting the bogie of victimhood, I wish to underline that as we speak’s judgement of the court docket relies on concrete proof for which neither we nor… pic.twitter.com/OAA2gv0HYC

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2024

The BJP’s persevering with all-out assault got here after the ED’s remand copy was made public.

The company stated Mr Kejriwal had failed to clarify why Mr Nair – who was additionally a key accused until he turned a authorities witness – had “greater than 10 conferences… with co-accused individuals concerned within the liquor enterprise”. The Delhi Chief Minister “evaded” this and different questions, the ED stated.

NDTV Explains | Why Enforcement Directorate Arrested Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 hours after the Delhi Excessive Court docket stated it could not defend him from arrest. The ED believes the now-scrapped coverage offered an impossibly excessive revenue margin of 185 per cent for retailers and 12 per cent for wholesalers. Of the latter, six per cent – over Rs 600 crore – had been bribes demanded by Mr Kejriwal and the cash was used to fund ballot campaigns.

Mr Kejriwal, his colleagues behind bars, and different senior AAP leaders have denied all costs; they’ve pointed to an investigation that has spanned two years and resulted in no money restoration, and accused the BJP of a “political conspiracy” to discredit the opposition occasion earlier than an election.

READ | Up At 6:30, Dal, Sabzi For Lunch, Dinner: Arvind Kejriwal’s Tihar Routine

The opposition has additionally accused the BJP of utilizing investigative companies that report back to the centre – just like the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation – to focus on rival political leaders earlier than the election.

The BJP has firmly dismissed such claims.

Mr Kejriwal will spend the subsequent two weeks in Jail No 2 of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, together with his former deputy, Manish Sisodia; his former Well being Minister, Satyendar Jain; and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

Mr Sisodia and Mr Singh had been arrested within the alleged liquor rip-off case, as was one other opposition politician – the BRS’ Okay Kavitha. Mr Jain was arrested on cash laundering costs.

Mr Kejriwal, in the meantime, moved the Delhi Excessive Court docket towards his arrest, arguing basic rights had been violated by the company. The court docket issued a discover to the ED and the listening to will resume Wednesday.

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