BJP Protest Delhi Liquor Policy by Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal denies accusations that the now-canceled liquor sales policy generated funds for the AAP’s election campaign in Goa last year. Here is why did “BJP Protest Delhi Liquor Policy.”
On Saturday, the BJP staged a large demonstration outside the Aam Aadmi Party’s headquarters in Delhi, calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over allegations of corruption regarding the Delhi liquor policy.
BJP activists engaged in conflicts with police and tried to break through the barricades put in place to control the crowd, while others held signs and shouted slogans.
Why BJP protests Delhi Liquor Policy?
The BJP is blaming the Chief Minister based on the second charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate and claims it demonstrates his involvement in corruption.
A court recently accepted a supplementary charge sheet against five individuals and seven companies in connection with alleged wrongdoing in the Delhi Liquor policy, which was canceled last year by the AAP government after a CBI investigation was ordered by the Lieutenant Governor, a representative of the BJP-led central government.
What ED says?
The Enforcement Directorate, which is responsible for investigating financial crimes and also reports to the BJP-led central government, asserts that a portion of the alleged ₹ 100 crore in “kickbacks” received from the policy was used in the AAP’s campaign for the Goa assembly election.
What Kejriwal says about the charges?
Arvind Kejriwal strongly denies all charges and describes the case as “fake” and aimed at helping the BJP “topple” governments.
The agency also claims that Vijay Nair, the AAP’s communications in-charge and an accused in the alleged scam, arranged a FaceTime video call between Kejriwal and the head of a liquor company, who has been arrested.
Also read: ED Accuses AAP of Using Delhi Liquor Scam Funds for Goa Election Campaign
Who is accused for “Arvind Kejriwal Delhi Liquor Policy”?
Vijay Nair, on behalf of AAP leaders, is accused of receiving ₹100 crore as an advance payment for licenses in the Delhi liquor policy by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
According to the ED’s chargesheet, Vijay is considered “his boy” by Mr. Kejriwal, and the latter had reportedly instructed Sameer Mahendru, head of Indospirits, to “trust him and carry on with him.” However, Mr. Kejriwal is not listed as an accused in the chargesheet.
AAP sources deny these allegations, stating that there is no truth to them and that Sameer Mahendru reported in court that his statement was given under duress.
What ED and CBI claims?
The ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claim that there were irregularities in the modification of Delhi’s excise policy, with alleged connivance and kickbacks from a group known as the “South Group.”
The South Group, according to the agency, is comprised of Kavitha of the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana, Magunta Srinivasalu Reddy, an MP from the ruling YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh, and Sarath Reddy of Aurobindo Pharma.
The agencies claim that the license fee was waived or reduced and improper advantages were given to liquor license holders under this group.
Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been named as an accused and has been questioned in this case. Other accused individuals include the former Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari, and Assistant Commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar.
AAP has claimed that this case, which emerged before the Gujarat elections, was a tactic by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to distract from the election, which the BJP eventually won. After a 9-hour questioning session by ED officials, Mr. Sisodia claimed that he was asked to quit AAP.
