The government will not be run from prison, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said on Wednesday in the backdrop of statements by AAP leaders that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister even if he is behind bars.
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and remanded to the agency’s custody till March 28. He faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of the policy favouring specific individuals.
Speaking at the summit by a media outlet, Saxena said: “I can assure the people of Delhi that the government will not be run from jail.”
The statement comes close on the heels of a Delhi BJP delegation meeting Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Wednesday to demand a probe into the “letters” being sent by Kejriwal to his ministers from ED custody.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva told reporters that the delegation demanded a probe into whether the “letters” being written by Kejriwal were genuine and also into the role of his ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj who have claimed to have received them.
“There is a procedure by which such letters after proper attestation can come from a person who is in ED custody. As far as my information is concerned, these letters are fake,” Sachdeva claimed. Last week, Water Minister Atishi, showing a note from Kejriwal, claimed that the chief minister has directed her to address issues related to water supply and sewer in the city.
Health Minister Bharadwaj on Tuesday claimed that Kejriwal issued him directions from ED custody to ensure availability of free medicines and lab tests at government hospitals and Mohalla Clinics.
WIFE SUNITA SLAMS ARREST
Stressing that no money was found in multiple Enforcement Directorate raids, Kejriwal’s wife Sunita on Wednesday said her husband would do a “big expose” on the alleged excise policy scam in court on March 28.
Sunita Kejriwal, in a digital briefing, said her husband will reveal the truth on March 28 and also present evidence. “Despite two years of probe, the ED has not been able to find even one paisa in evidence. They raided chief minister’s residence but got just Rs 73,000,” she said.
“My husband issued directions to Water Minister Atishi while in custody. The Centre had issues with it. Do they want to ruin Delhi?” Sunita Kejriwal asked, adding that her husband was very sad over the issue. She said Kejriwal was a brave and genuine person and his resolve was strong.
The AAP took to the streets on Tuesday over the arrest of Kejriwal with its leaders and workers trying to march towards the prime minister’s residence before being stopped while the BJP held counter protests demanding the Delhi chief minister’s resignation.
SARKAR FROM JAIL?
With Kejriwal’s arrest, the entire top brass of the AAP is now behind bars. Minister Atishi, however, reiterated that Kejriwal will remain the chief minister. “We have always said that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail. He will remain the chief minister of Delhi.” As of now, according to AAP’s top strategists, there is no move to find a replacement for Kejriwal, CNN-News18 had reported earlier.
As per law, Kejriwal can continue as chief minister as long as he is not convicted. According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, until proven guilty, an elected representative does not have to quit. However, there is a moral question about continuing in office.
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