BJP Calls for Kejriwal's Resignation After High Court Upholds Arrest

The BJP has demanded the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following the high court's decision upholding his arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise policy scam. The AAP criticized the BJP for misleading the public while emphasizing that the case had not been decided on merits.

The BJP on Monday reiterated its demand for resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the high court verdict upholding his arrest by the CBI in a corruption case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) termed it as 'unfortunate' that the BJP is attempting to 'mislead' the people of Delhi. Addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva noted victories for the people of Delhi in both the Supreme Court's order on the lieutenant governor's power to appoint aldermen to MCD and the Delhi High Court's verdict in the excise policy case.

'The question now is whether Kejriwal has the moral authority to remain the Chief Minister of Delhi,' Sachdeva said, alleging that the administration was 'paralysed' and no AAP minister was willing to take accountability. He reiterated that the high court order has vindicated BJP's allegations that the AAP and Kejriwal's government looted Delhi in the excise policy scam.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj commented that the court found Kejriwal's arrest neither unjustifiable nor illegal, criticizing his governance from jail as resulting in 'zero governance and complete policy paralysis' in Delhi. However, the AAP stated that the CBI case has not been decided on its merits and cited technical legal non-compliance by the prosecution. The party noted that the trial court and the Supreme Court had already granted bail to Kejriwal in related cases.

The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption.

(With inputs from agencies.)