"Clear violation of the model of conduct": TMC leader Shashi Panja on Arvind Kejriwal arrest

Speaking to ANI over Kejriwal's arrest, Shashi Panja said, "It is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The election dates have been announced and amidst all this, they are arresting an elected sitting Chief Minister. Why is the BJP so scared? Before this, they arrested the then-Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren."

Trinamool Congress leader Shashi Panja on Friday took a hit at the Bharatiya Janata Party over the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal earlier yesterday and said that it was a clear violation of the model of conduct and that the BJP had resorted to "tactics" like the Delhi Chief Minister's arrest because the party was not getting the 400 seat mark in the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to ANI over Kejriwal's arrest, Shashi Panja said, "It is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The election dates have been announced and amidst all this, they are arresting an elected sitting Chief Minister. Why is the BJP so scared? Before this, they arrested the then-Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren."

"The Lok Sabha elections are just around the corner and you are arresting a Chief Minister, this can be done by those who do not have self-confidence. They (BJP) are not getting the 400 seats they are talking about. The TMC along with the INDIA alliance is approaching the Election Commission and will demand a smooth conduct of elections," added the TMC leader. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case a day before, said that his life is dedicated to the country whether he is outside or in jail.

A video shared by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on its X handle showed Kejriwal reaffirming his 'commitment' to the country. "Whether I am inside or outside, my life is dedicated to the country," Kejriwal said as he was produced before Rouse Avenue court on Friday by ED following his arrest on Thursday.

The Delhi CM was arrested after skipping nine summons issued against him by the Enforcement Directorate and Delhi High Court, which refused to grant him relief from any coercive action by the probe agency. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came days after the ED arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with its investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped excise policy. Earlier Manish Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member. (ANI)

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