LIVE | Delhi court sends Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28
Concerned for Kejriwal's safety: AAP
“As CM, he gets Z+ security cover. Now he is in the custody of the central ED agency. We are concerned for his safety and security,” said Atishi, Delhi Minister
Delhi Police beef up security anticipating AAP protest
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s call for a protest outside BJP’s headquarters in Delhi at 10 am on Friday (March 22) has led to the Delhi Police beefing up security in the city. The police have set up barricades on the roads leading to the BJP office. The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid roads leading to central Delhi. The ITO Metro Station will remain closed from 8 am to 6 pm on Friday.
Kejriwal to appear before Rouse Avenue Court
It is reported that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Courts following his arrest by the ED on Thursday (March 21), hours after a division bench of the Delhi High Court refused to pass orders granting him interim protection from arrest.
Kejriwal's arrest is BJP's political conspiracy: Delhi Minister Atishi
AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said, "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 convenor of a national party has been arrested. ARvind Kejriwal's arrest is BJP's political conspiracy."
Shocking & Condemnable!: Prashant Bhushan on Kejriwal's arrest
"It is ironic that the ED which has been involved in the extortion of money from corporates through electoral bonds for its BJP bosses & whose officers must be investigated and prosecuted, has arrested Kejriwal last night without a shred of documentary evidence against him, on the eve of elections. Shocking & Condemnable!", posted the activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan on X.
Kejriwal's arrest will give birth to mass movement: Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the BJP after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and said it would lead to a "mass movement" (jan-andolan). In a post on X, he said that the BJP fears defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and hence is "trying to keep the Opposition leaders away from the public."
Lalu slams Modi govt
RJD president Lalu Prasad on Thursday slammed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED.
The RJD supremo reacted to the arrest of the AAP chief in a Hindi post on X, claiming the BJP was “scared” since its ouster from power was “certain”.
“Gripped by the fear of defeat, the Modi government is in a state of fear. It has been tearing democracy to shreds and it will continue to do so till it lasts in power,” said Prasad, whose RJD, like AAP, is an INDIA bloc constituent.
Exposed real face of AAP: SAD leader
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the arrest of Kejriwal in a serious case of corruption by the ED has “exposed the real face of AAP”.
“The party which came to power by painting the whole political system as corrupt has surpassed all records of corruption in a record time,” said Cheema in a post.
Chandigarh Congress president condemns arrest
Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky has condemned the arrest of Kejriwal.
“It is absolutely wrong and unconstitutional to target Kejriwal in this manner due to elections. Lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the Prime Minister nor his government,” Lucky said.
“Fight your critics in the electoral battlefield, confront them strongly, attack their policies and working style of course - this is democracy. But using the power of all the institutions of the country in this way to fulfil your political goals, weakening them by putting pressure is against every principle of democracy,” he alleged.
The AAP and the Congress fought the recent mayoral elections in Chandigarh in alliance.
AAP leaders in Punjab, Haryana condemn arrest
AAP leaders in Punjab and Haryana on Thursday slammed the BJP government for the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, alleging the “dictatorial regime was making a mockery of the constitutional norms”.
Earlier, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X, said, “BJP’s political team ED, cannot imprison Kejriwal’s thinking…because only AAP can stop the BJP. Thinking can never be suppressed.”
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema lambasted the BJP-led Union government for Kejriwal’s arrest.
“Today I strongly condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by ED. This dictatorial regime is making a mockery of constitutional norms and killing the spirit of democracy by destroying the opposition in every way. This shows the fear of BJP and today's action is the beginning of the end of BJP,” Cheema in a post on X.
AAP's Haryana unit president Sushil Gupta said, “This is a black day for democracy. The BJP is already trying to destroy the country’s democracy…. You have arrested him, how will you stop his ideology?” In a video which he posted on X, Gupta further said that the party’s Haryana unit has decided to gherao Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s Kurukshetra residence on Friday.
“This period is an undeclared emergency created by BJP. The party, scared of the INDIA alliance, is conspiring to stop Arvind Kejriwal. Pressure is being put on him to separate from the INDIA alliance, but BJP does not know that the entire country stands with Kejriwal. I am going to Delhi immediately..,” Gupta in a post on X.
Punjab Cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal alleged that the BJP was “punishing” Kejriwal for providing excellent schools, hospitals, free electricity and water to the poor and middle-class of Delhi.
“The public will answer…..you can arrest Kejriwal but how will you stop his thinking?” he said.
Another Punjab Minister Anmol Gagan Maan said BJP’s attempt to implicate Kejriwal in a “false case” was motivated by “dirty politics”. “Such a conspiracy against an honest leader is shameful. This is murder of democracy,” she said in a post on X.
AAP Punjab unit chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said Kejriwal’s arrest over “frivolous” Delhi’s liquor policy money laundering case is “watershed moment” in the political history of India.
“This could indeed be the last straw for the Modi government,” he said in a post on X.