BJP alleges 'hidden motive' as CM Kejriwal skips ED's third summon

Following the evasion of the third summons by Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) severely criticised the Aam Aadmi Party leader, accusing him of a concealed agenda. Shehzad Poonawalla, the BJP spokesperson at the national level stated, "Arvind Kejriwal flouted the third summons again today. It indicates that he has something to conceal, thus making him act like an infractor."

Poonawalla went on to draw connections with the refusal of bail to Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, focussing on the court-established money trails. He expressed that, "The court has been denying bail to both Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh while establishing money trails, yet they continue to act as the victims."

In contrast, the Congress censured the central agency, indicting it for targeting leaders in the opposition and shirking their duties. Congress official Udit Raj stated, "The ED is probing associates of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. ED notifications were issued to ex-Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel just prior to elections, accusing him falsely."

"Being part of the opposition coalition, Arvind Kejriwal is also being targeted. These agencies are applying pressure on opposition leaders instead of performing their functions", Udit Raj told the ANI.

Earlier during the day, the Chief Minister of Delhi managed to avoid an appearance for the Enforcement Directorate interrogation tied to the alleged Delhi liquor scandal. Kejriwal received the third summons from ED on December 22, the previous year, associated with the excise policy case, ordering his presence on January 3.

Reportedly, in his reply, Kejriwal expressed his willingness to participate in the enquiry but refused appearance today, labelling the summons as "unlawful". Subsequently, he questioned the intents behind the timing of the notice, viewing it as an attempt to hinder his election campaign agenda for the approaching parliamentary elections.

Kejriwal wasn't listed as an offender in the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, the past year.

In February 2023, Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister was imprisoned by the CBI on grounds of purported inconsistencies related to the now-discarded new excise policy of Delhi. The policy was repealed amidst allegations of misconduct by the opposition.

On another note, the Enforcement Directorate raided facilities related to Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Chief Minister's press advisor earlier today, in relevance to a supposed land mining and money laundering case. According to the sources from the agency, the raids targeted 12 places including the CM's press advisor's residence.