‘Scared dictator wants to …’: Who said what on Kejriwal’s arrest

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday arrested Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case. Kejriwal was arrested after two hours of questioning by the ED officials at his residence.
Kejriwal became the second sitting chief minister to face arrest in recent times, following Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren. The AAP leadership announced on Thursday that he would maintain his position as chief minister, asserting that the national capital would continue to be governed even while he is in jail.
Delhi high court had earlier rejected Kejriwal’s plea to prevent coercive measures from being taken against him.
‘Will run govt from jail’, says AAP leader Atishi
“We have received reports of Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED. We have always maintained that Arvind Kejriwal will continue to govern from jail. He will remain the CM of Delhi. We have filed a case in the Supreme Court, and our lawyers are preparing for an urgent hearing tonight,” Atishi said.
‘Scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy’, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, on Kejriwal’s arrest, said in a tweet, “A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the ‘devilish power’, now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this.”
Congress leader Udit Raj condemned the heavy security presence around Kejriwal’s residence, likening it to a state of war or the pursuit of a dangerous criminal. He said, “Arvind Kejriwal’s house has been surrounded by security forces as if they are there to arrest any dacoit or the war is on with an enemy country. This is the murder of democracy. If Arvind Kejriwal ends his alliance with Congress and goes with the BJP, all summons will be recalled. If freedom of expression is suppressed, it is not just the AAP or Congress, all will have to suffer.”
‘Effort to shut down opposition voices’, says Kerala CM
On the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan says, “Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest is highly objectionable. This action is part of the effort to shut down the opposition voices at the stage of the election process. This shows the cowardice of those who fear the democratic process.”
‘Arrest will lead to a new people’s revolution’, says SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “Those who are themselves imprisoned in the fear of defeat, what will ‘they’ do by imprisoning someone else? BJP knows that it will not come to power again, and due to this fear, it wants to remove the opposition leaders from the public by any means at the time of elections, arrest is just an excuse. This arrest will give birth to a new people’s revolution.”
‘Preparation for autocracy’, says JMM
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Rajya Sabha MP and leader, Mahua Maji, commented on the situation, linking Kejriwal’s arrest to a broader trend in non-BJP governed states. She said, “Wherever there is non-BJP govt, these things are happening in those states only. Elections are going to be held, model code of conduct is in place but the way things are going on, firstly in Jharkhand and then in Delhi, this isn’t democracy but a preparation for autocracy.” Kejriwal’s arrest follows the arrest of former Jharkhand CM and JMM leader Hemant Soren.
‘Last string of case had to reach Kejriwal’, says Bengal BJP president
On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, “In the Liquor Policy Case, a few days ago, BRS leader K Kavitha was also arrested. This was an indication that a big arrest will be made in this case in the coming days. This was natural that the last string of this case had to reach Arvind Kejriwal. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also arrested in this case. His arrest was just a matter of time.”
‘Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest’, says Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin
“Ahead of Elections2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Hon’ble Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, following the unjust targeting of brother Hemant Soren. Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy. The relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP Govt smacks of a desperate witch-hunt. This tyranny ignites public fury, unmasking BJP’s true colours. But their futile arrests only fuel our resolve, fortifying the INDIA alliance’s march to victory. BJP, brace for the people’s wrath!’, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin said in a tweet.
‘Whoever opposes BJP, should contest from bars’, says AIADMK
Kovai Sathyan, AIADMK Spokesperson said, “This arrest proves that there is a three-point agenda for the BJP. First, whoever opposes the BJP, should contest from behind bars. Second, whoever is opposing BJP, will run out of funds and will be unable to use party funds. Third, whoever is out on bail, BJP will not have any hesitation to have an alliance with them
‘Politically-motivated arrest’, says NCP
NCP-SCP leader and MP Supriya Sule said, “I stand in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal. This is yet another politically motivated arrest by the ED at the behest of the BJP Government to suppress the voice of the opposition & undermine the electorate at large. We are resilient and united in our fight for constitutional democracy.”