Arvind Kejriwal’s recent remarks in the Delhi Assembly have reignited tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), further fueling the ongoing political battle in the capital. Kejriwal disclosed a private conversation with a senior BJP leader, in which the latter allegedly admitted that his arrest had successfully derailed the Delhi government’s operations. This revelation highlights Kejriwal’s claim that the BJP is leveraging legal actions and central agencies to disrupt governance in Delhi.
VIDEO | "Few days back, I met a senior leader (of BJP). I asked him what did they get out of my arrest? He smiled and said that they have derailed the Delhi government by arresting me. I was surprised by what he said. How can a party be happy if people are in distress?" says AAP… pic.twitter.com/7iB7Aa8Igs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2024
The backdrop to this claim stems from Kejriwal’s arrest in March 2024, linked to the Delhi excise policy case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accused him of corruption, a move seen by AAP as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the party’s influence in the region. While Kejriwal was granted interim bail in May 2024, his legal battles continue to generate significant political friction.
In his Assembly address, Kejriwal also discussed his letter to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat, in which he raised five pressing issues, including the BJP’s alleged tolerance of corrupt politicians. Kejriwal cited the example of Ajit Pawar, who was involved in a corruption case and later inducted into the Maharashtra government as Deputy Chief Minister, questioning Bhagwat’s stance on such political moves. This aligns with AAP’s broader criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance, accusing him of embracing corrupt politicians for political gain.
VIDEO | "Few days ago, I wrote a letter to (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat and raised five issues. One of those issues was about how PM Modi is inducting the most corrupt politicians of other parties in his party and does Mohan Bhagwat agree with him? On June 27, 2023, PM Modi said… pic.twitter.com/kGrsvIsNrv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2024
The confrontation between AAP and BJP has intensified ahead of upcoming elections, with AAP framing these legal cases as part of a larger political strategy to suppress opposition. The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that the investigations are based on legitimate legal grounds, particularly in the context of the excise policy probe. This ongoing battle is likely to remain a central theme in Delhi’s political landscape, with both parties gearing up for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
Kejriwal’s claims, especially concerning the BJP’s alleged attempts to derail his government, reflect the heightened political tension, and his reference to corruption within the BJP adds further weight to his broader critique of the ruling party at the national level.
