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On Thursday night, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged excise policy scam in the national capital. The arrest came after a series of questioning sessions and searches conducted by the central probe agency at his official residence. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swiftly reacted to the arrest, calling for nationwide protests against the ruling BJP government and the investigative agency, while also extending invitations to opposition bloc leaders to participate.
Defiance Amidst Summons: Kejriwal’s Legal Battle
CM Kejriwal’s arrest followed his defiance of multiple summons by the probe agency, totaling nine, which he deemed “illegal.” Late on Thursday night, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) approached the Supreme Court seeking intervention in the matter. The apex court is expected to hear the case regarding the Chief Minister’s arrest today, amidst escalating tensions between the AAP and the central government.
International Scrutiny: Global Media’s Take
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has garnered attention from international media outlets, with notable coverage from The Washington Post, BBC, and The New York Times (NYT). The Washington Post’s article titled “India arrests Delhi chief minister as crackdown on opposition spreads,” highlights AAP supporters’ claims of trumped-up charges orchestrated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration. The report underscores opposition parties’ accusations of the BJP unfairly utilizing federal investigative agencies to target political rivals.
BBC’s report, titled “Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi’s chief minister arrested over corruption claims,” features AAP leader Dilip Pandey’s assertion that PM Modi’s actions signify fear of Kejriwal’s influence. Pandey emphasizes the resilience of Kejriwal’s ideologies amidst the arrest, signaling a continued fight against what they perceive as unjust policies.
In a report titled “Indian Opposition Parties Say They Face Tide of Troubles as Vote Nears,” The New York Times (NYT) portrays CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest as part of a broader strategy by the Modi government to weaken the opposition ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Critics view the arrest as a tactic to stifle dissent and maintain political advantage in the electoral arena.
As the legal battle ensues and political tensions escalate, the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal reverberates both domestically and internationally, underscoring the complex interplay between law, politics, and governance in India’s democratic landscape.
