Cong questions discharge of Kejriwal in Delhi excise case; alleges BJP–AAP ‘understanding’

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress on Friday raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the discharge of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the alleged Delhi excise policy case, with senior party leaders alleging a "political understanding" between BJP and AAP.

Partap Singh Bajwa, leader of the opposition in the Punjab assembly, alleged both parties were engaged in a tacit understanding. Referring to bail granted to Kejriwal earlier and the absence of any FIR against Atishi in connection with a separate controversy over alleged blasphemy remarks, Bajwa said, "What a friendly match! Velvet glove boxing by the BJP and the AAP. Quid pro quo?".


He alleged that the arrangement involved preventing farmers in Punjab from organising protests against the proposed Indo–US trade agreement and ensuring that the AAP continued to remain politically active in states such as Punjab and Gujarat to weaken the Congress. Bajwa added that the names of Narendra Modi and Kejriwal would be remembered "for making democracy a commodity".

Congress MLA Pargat Singh also criticised the development, taking a dig at Kejriwal, Sisodia and others. He alleged that the BJP provided major relief to its "B-team", the AAP, ahead of the Punjab elections.

Pargat said it was "interesting" that central agencies appeared to soften their stance towards the AAP, raising questions about whether the pressure was deliberately eased to hinder the Congress party's political momentum. However, he asserted that the BJP and its "B-team" would not be able to stop the Congress from returning to power in Punjab.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also questioned the developments in the case.

"The central govt filed serious charges and imprisoned him for 1.5 years. If there were no serious charges, why were they imprisoned? And if there were, how were they discharged? The BJP, Modiji, Amit Shah and Kejriwal can provide better answers," Warring said.

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