Kejriwal must step down as Delhi CM, says BJP

The Goa unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should step down from the post after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Kejriwal's arrest on Thursday night, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor from any coercive action by the agency.

"Kejriwal was arrested for his involvement in the excise scam. The allegations are serious. He must immediately step down as Delhi chief minister," Goa BJP spokesperson Yatish Naik said at a press conference. Refuting allegations that the ED was working at the behest of the ruling BJP, Naik said probe agencies are independent and work without any pressure from the government.