In a dramatic turn of events, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Atishi Marlena has unleashed a startling expose, alleging a nefarious plot to arrest key party leaders, including herself, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. During a press conference held on Tuesday, Atishi made shocking claims, asserting that party figures Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak, Raghav Chadha, and she herself were targeted for imminent arrest within the next two months.
Atishi further revealed that she had received intimations regarding potential raids on her residence and those of her relatives, followed by summonses and subsequent arrests. Undeterred by the threats, she defiantly stated, “We are not scared of your summons and threats.”
This revelation comes in the wake of disclosures made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Rouse Avenue Court, implicating Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi in connection with the excise policy scam case. Kejriwal allegedly mentioned Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj during his interrogation, indicating a connection between the accused Vijay Nair and Atishi, who formerly headed AAP’s media communication cell.
Addressing the media, Atishi expressed skepticism over the timing of the ED’s revelations, citing that the statements referenced had been in possession of both the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for over a year and a half. She insinuated that the sudden resurgence of these statements was politically motivated, aimed at destabilizing AAP’s unity and strength.
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a vendetta against AAP, Atishi asserted that the BJP was perturbed by the success of the INDIA bloc’s recent “Save democracy” rally at Ramlila Maidan. She claimed that the BJP was actively strategizing to incarcerate the next tier of AAP’s leadership.
Responding to queries regarding Chief Minister Kejriwal’s resignation amidst mounting pressure, Atishi emphasized that there were no legal grounds for his resignation. Referring to constitutional provisions, she clarified that Kejriwal had not been convicted and enjoyed significant support within the Delhi Assembly.
The ED’s insistence on Kejriwal’s judicial custody till April 15 was met with resistance from AAP, who accused the central government of attempting to impose President’s rule in Delhi by coercing legislators and splintering the party.
In a subsequent development, the Delhi court ordered Kejriwal’s judicial custody, leading to his confinement in Tihar Jail. Despite being incarcerated, Kejriwal is under constant surveillance, with provisions for home-cooked meals, entertainment, and reading material.
