New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Atishi has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in targeted political vendetta to undermine her party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. At a press conference, she claimed that four more AAP leaders, including herself, are set to be arrested in the coming months.
Atishi alleged that the BJP is orchestrating these arrests to dismantle AAP’s leadership hierarchy and weaken the party’s foundation. She also revealed an attempt by a close aide of the BJP to lure her into joining their ranks, warning that refusal could lead to her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The AAP leader pointed out that recent developments, linking her and Saurabh Bharadwaj to court proceedings, are based on statements that have been in the possession of the ED and CBI for over a year and a half. Atishi emphasized that these statements are already part of the ED and CBI’s charge sheets, suggesting a deliberate effort by the BJP to target AAP’s leadership.
“The BJP’s sudden interest in reviving these old statements underscores their desperation to undermine the resilience of AAP, even as prominent leaders face incarceration,” Atishi alleged. She concluded by accusing the BJP of systematically targeting AAP’s leadership to weaken the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
On Monday, the ED’s application for judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case mentioned that Kejriwal claimed one of the accused used to report to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, not him. Former AAP communications in charge Vijay Nair, along with several other AAP leaders, was arrested in the same case.
The ED highlighted inconsistencies in Nair’s interactions and his working arrangements, questioning why someone who reported to other AAP leaders would have access to the Chief Minister’s Camp Office. The allegations and arrests have added fuel to the ongoing political tensions between AAP and the BJP, with Atishi leading the charge against what she perceives as targeted political attacks.
