Delhi Minister Resigns Amidst SC/ST Fund Diversion Allegations

Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned amidst allegations of SC/ST fund diversion, forwarded to the President by LG V K Saxena on the recommendation of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Anand, who joined BSP and contested the Lok Sabha elections, faced criticism for inadequate Dalit representation in AAP. Kejriwal’s interim bail related to the Delhi excise policy case has ended, leading to his surrender.

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved and forwarded the resignation of Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand to the President of India following the recommendation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Raj Niwas officials confirmed on Monday.

This decisive move marks the only official communication from Kejriwal during his period on interim bail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The chief minister recommended that Anand's resignation be accepted, according to officials.

Officials highlighted that Anand, who resigned from the cabinet and the ruling AAP on April 10, alleged substantial diversions of funds intended for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes towards other schemes. Furthermore, Anand criticized the AAP for inadequate Dalit representation. His subsequent shift to the BSP saw him contesting the New Delhi constituency in the Lok Sabha elections.

Anand also held key portfolios, including Social Welfare, SC/ST Welfare, and Cooperatives. With no new minister allocated to Anand's departments, these roles will automatically fall under the chief minister's jurisdiction, despite Kejriwal's current imprisonment.

Notably, Kejriwal, whose interim bail in the ongoing excise policy-linked money laundering case ended on June 1, surrendered at the Tihar Jail on Sunday after receiving a 21-day bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.