Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has launched a staunch rebuttal against the Enforcement Directorate, alleging that their summons to him had been leaked to specific BJP leaders. In a detailed six-point response, Kejriwal denounced the summons as “motivated and issued for extraneous considerations.” He noted that BJP leaders had prematurely predicted his arrest even before he received the summons, suggesting an orchestrated effort to malign his image. Furthermore, Kejriwal posed three questions to the Enforcement Directorate, seeking clarity on the purpose of the summons and its legal basis.
Given his role as the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal cited the necessity of campaigning in various states during ongoing elections, making it challenging to comply with the summons. He also highlighted his responsibilities as the Chief Minister of Delhi, emphasizing the need for his presence in governance matters.
The summons from the Enforcement Directorate pertains to a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged Delhi excise policy scandal. Kejriwal was expected to appear before the agency but instead chose to participate in a roadshow in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister’s office issued a statement, branding the notice as “illegal and politically motivated,” with an alleged connection to the BJP. AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj had earlier proclaimed Kejriwal’s imminent arrest.
Arvind Kejriwal’s detailed response sheds light on the contentious nature of the situation and its political ramifications, setting the stage for a potential showdown between the Delhi government and the Enforcement Directorate.