Arrest Kejriwal if you wish, won’t back out of INDIA alliance, says AAP

On Thursday, leaders from both parties confirmed that they had settled for a four-three seat-sharing formula, with AAP contesting four seats and Congress three. “The moment the news broke that we will announce the seat sharing in a few days, we received information that Kejriwal has received the seventh notice from the ED.

Senior AAP Leader and Rajya Sabha Member @SandeepPathak04, Delhi Cabinet Ministers @AtishiAAP and @Saurabh_MLAgk Addressing an Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/ivugO0iq1m

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 23, 2024

Alongside that, some trusted sources told us that not just the ED but the CBI, too, is taking steps to arrest Kejriwal. We also know a notice under CrPC 41A is ready to be served to Kejriwal. Today, it will be served to Kejriwal by morning or evening. We have also received a timeline where Kejriwal will be arrested in the coming two to three days,” said Bhardwaj during a press conference on Friday.

Other AAP leaders react

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak accused BJP of scrambling to revise its political strategies in light of the potential AAP-Congress alliance, highlighting concerns over disrupted political equations in several states. “The day you arrest Kejriwal, the whole country will see a tsunami. All well-meaning, good people will descend to the streets and all their political calculations that once Kejriwal goes to jail, the party will crumble, will be proved wrong,” said Pathak.

Delhi minister Atishi, who was also present at the press conference, said, “Send as many notices as you wish, as many summons as you wish, arrest every AAP leader, hang us by nooses if you so wish… But, we will not be cowed down by your threats. We have fought for this country’s republic and Constitution, and we shall continue to do so.”

Meanwhile, leaders from the Delhi BJP unit said that AAP is resorting to misinformation and rumours to garner sympathy for the Chief Minister, while pointing out that “despite being served seven notices, Kejriwal was still not in jail”. “Before spreading misinformation about the BJP’s governance, AAP leaders should know that under the BJP rule, despite ignoring seven ED notices, Kejriwal is moving freely today, while during the Congress rule, millions of people were imprisoned for 20 months without any prior notice or warrant,” they said in a joint statement.

During another press conference on Friday, Delhi AAP convenor Gopal Rai said that it was evident that the BJP is floundering with fear. Highlighting the ongoing farmers’ protests and the recent raid at former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik’s house, Rai said that the BJP’s actions reflected its insecurity. “They have already set a record of dishonesty by manipulating the Chandigarh mayoral elections. AAP will not let BJP violate the democracy of the country,” said Rai.

Reacting to the AAP’s allegations, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva pointed out that it was Congress’ Ajay Maken who had submitted the first complaint on the liquor scam to the Lieutenant Governor. “Kejriwal knows that the alliance is already defeated, and since yesterday evening, is spreading not only supposed information about the alliance, but also rumours about the possibilities of his arrest to create an atmosphere of sympathy,” he said.