New Delhi: the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) strongly condemned the arrest of its leader, Sanjay Singh, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The AAP characterized the action taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as “completely illegal” and suggested it reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) frustration due to the anticipated defeat in the 2024 elections to the INDIA bloc.
Sanjay Singh, in a video message recorded prior to his arrest following extensive searches at his residences, asserted that his arrest lacked any substantial evidence and pledged to continue raising his voice against corruption. He stated, “I accept dying but not bowing down.” He further emphasized his previous efforts to expose alleged scams involving Adani and criticized the lack of action by the ED against Adani. Singh asserted that Prime Minister Modi would face a significant defeat in the 2024 elections.
He went on to argue that the BJP cannot secure victory through oppressive measures and imprisonment of individuals. Singh reaffirmed his commitment to opposing corruption and asserted that he and his fellow AAP members would not back down in the face of such challenges.
AAP’s leader and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, predicted that more opposition leaders would be arrested in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections, attributing this to Prime Minister Modi’s apprehension about the upcoming polls. He characterized the ED’s raids at Singh’s residence as the “last desperate attempt” by a party that appeared poised for defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.
Kejriwal highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding an alleged ‘liquor scam’ over the past year, noting that no substantial evidence or money recovery had occurred despite numerous raids and arrests. He also stated that various government agencies, including the ED, CBI, and police, would become increasingly active as the elections drew nearer.
Sanjay Singh’s arrest came after extensive questioning by the Enforcement Directorate, making him the second high-profile AAP leader to be arrested in connection with the case, following Manish Sisodia.
The AAP shared a video in which Singh is seen seeking blessings from his mother before leaving his home. In another video, Singh’s wife alleged that the agency officials failed to find anything incriminating during the raids and contended that her husband had been arrested in a baseless case.
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized the excise case as a fictitious scam that had been under scrutiny for over a year. He expressed skepticism that any evidence of corruption would be found at Singh’s residence, despite claims made by the investigating authorities.
Bharadwaj emphasized that Singh was a prominent voice in the opposition and accused the central government of attempting to silence him. He expressed hope for swift elections and a change in leadership, condemning the raids in the strongest terms.
After his arrest, Sanjay Singh held a joint press conference with senior leader Atishi and party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar. He argued that there was a prevailing sentiment against the BJP and criticized the arrest as an attempt to silence opposition voices.
Atishi echoed these sentiments, asserting that the BJP was afraid of those who raised their voices against the party and expressed confidence that they would not be silenced.
Priyanka Kakkar, the AAP’s chief national spokesperson, labeled the raids as a manifestation of “vendetta” politics, characterizing them as politically motivated attempts to discredit individuals. She cited the lack of substantial findings in the past 15 months as evidence of a vindictive political agenda.
Delhi Cabinet minister Gopal Rai suggested that the raids were motivated by the BJP’s fear of impending defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. He condemned the targeting of journalists and argued that it represented an attempt to suppress voices critical of those in power, which he deemed contrary to democratic principles.
Rai also emphasized the importance of the BJP placing trust in the electorate rather than resorting to the misuse of government agencies to stifle dissent, noting that such tactics historically did not yield electoral success.