- Kejriwal arrested amid allegations, critics slam Modi’s government
- Protests in Delhi following opposition leader’s pre-election custody
- AAP claims harassment; BJP insists law enforcement acts independently
Prominent anti-corruption activists refute allegations of accepting bribes concerning Delhi’s alcohol policies. In the wake of national elections commencing next month, critics accuse the government led by Narendra Modi of exploiting its authority to undermine adversaries.
Prime Minister Modi has been characterised as a “scared dictator” in response to the detention of a prominent opposition politician.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, a notable advocate against corruption, was apprehended on Thursday evening after a search.
He has been ordered to remain in custody by a court until March 28.
Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested weeks before the commencement of national elections; the AAP is also called the Common People’s Party.
The AAP is a constituent of an alliance comprising opposition parties merged to pose a primary challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi.
Critics assert that Mr. Modi is orchestrating an assault through law enforcement agencies, and Kejriwal’s arrest on Friday incited demonstrations.
There were thousands of protesters in Delhi, some of whom chanted, “Death to democracy, long live Kejriwal!” In response, security forces were activated.
The Enforcement Directorate of India has accused Kejriwal’s party and ministers, a federal agency under the supervision of Mr Modi’s government, of accepting bribes totalling one billion rupees (£9.5 million) about alcohol policies in Delhi.
The AAP has pledged that Kejriwal will continue to serve as the city’s highest-ranking elected official while he litigates the “fabricated” allegations in court.
Neerja Chowdhury, a political commentator, remarked, “Since only opposition leaders are being singled out, this appears to be harassment.”
She added, “It is not a level playing field” about the absence of investigations into individuals affiliated with Mr Modi’s party.
It has been alleged that the government exploited its authority to intimidate and undermine political adversaries, thereby obtaining an unjust electoral advantage.
Opposition figures have been the target of many raids, arrests, and corruption investigations; charges against some who subsequently joined Mr Modi’s party were dropped.
A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemns law enforcement agencies’ “victim card” tactics, asserting that they operate autonomously from the government.
The leader of the opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, penned on X, “A frightened dictator desires to establish a dormant democracy.”
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A separate accusation against the government by Congress is that it has frozen its bank account to impede its election campaign.
AAP politician Raghav Chadha, meanwhile, stated, “India is experiencing an unannounced emergency. The current state of our democracy is one of critical peril.
Since establishing the AAP in 2012, Kejriwal has campaigned with a broom representing his pledge to eradicate corruption from India’s political system.
The seven-phase general election in India is scheduled to occur between April 19 and June 1, and the results are anticipated to be released three days after that.
Widely anticipated is the re-election of Mr. Modi for a third term.
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