Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, once again opted not to respond to the Enforcement Directorate’s request for his presence for interrogation concerning the liquor excise policy issue, marking his seventh absence. The Aam Aadmi Party, backing Kejriwal, suggested that the Enforcement Directorate should pause its summoning process until the judiciary reviews the case on March 16.
The party emphasized its determination to remain part of the INDIA alliance, despite the Modi administration’s alleged attempts to coerce them into withdrawal. This stance comes as part of their strategy to oppose the National Democratic Alliance, spearheaded by the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The AAP accuses the central government of misusing its agencies to pressure Kejriwal, especially after his consistent refusals to adhere to the summons, labeling the agency’s actions as ‘unlawful’ since February 19.
The ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate traces back to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s report highlighting irregularities in the Delhi government’s liquor excise policy, which was introduced in November 2021 and withdrawn in July 2022 following the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s recommendation for a probe. The policy changes purportedly aimed to ensure lucrative margins for liquor wholesalers and retailers, sparking allegations of a hefty bribery scheme involving AAP leaders and the so-called South Group, led by businessman Vijay Nair. The scandal has already resulted in the incarceration of key AAP figures, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.
