Moments after Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena backed a CBI probe into the AAP government’s new excise policy on corruption charges, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated the case was “completely bogus” and had no substance.
Delhi L-G Kejriwal government’s Excise Policy, 2021-22 has prompted a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and procedural lapses.
Citing a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary, Saxena alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who headed the Delhi government’s excise wing, was once concerned about corruption and gave undue benefits to liquor traders.
It further alleged that there was “deliberate and gross procedural lapse” to give “undue advantage to liquor license holders” post tender.
Denying the allegations, the Delhi Chief Minister said he has known Sisodia for 22 years and that he is a “strictly honest” man.
“I came to recognize 3-4 months back that Manish Sisodia will be arrested. I had additionally claimed in my press conferences, speeches and in Assembly that they will arrest Manish Sisodia. There is a new machine in our country. Firstly, it is determined who has to be sent to jail, then a pretend case is created towards that person. This case is faux and bogus. There is now not even an iota of truth in this case. I have known be aware of Manish Sisodia for 22 years. He is a very straightforward man and a genuine patriot,” he stated at a digital press briefing.
“You (BJP) are followers of Savarkar, who apologised to the British. We are followers of Bhagat Singh who refused to lay down to the British and sacrificed his life. We are now not fearful of going to jail,” he added.
The Delhi Chief Minister also said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders no longer fear going to jail as they have done nothing wrong.
“We are not scared of jails, now not scared of the noose. They have made quite a few instances in opposition to our people. AAP has been developing due to the fact its win in Punjab. They cannot see us upward thrust at a countrywide stage for that reason they are resorting to such measures. But nothing will give up us,” he asserted.
Reacting to the development, Sisodia said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid of Kejriwal and added that no disciplinary complications will stop the Delhi CM and AAP.
“As AAP’s influence grows across the country, there will be many additional false cases. But now, no jail can release Kejriwal G and Up. The future is yours, the future of India,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
