New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reiterated that no one in the world is “honest” if he is “corrupt” ahead of his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise policy matter. Releasing a video statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were demanding his arrest and if the party had ‘ordered’ the probe agency to arrest him She cannot refuse to do so. Kejriwal has been asked to be present at the CBI headquarters on Sunday at 11 am to answer the questions of the probe team.
A few hours before the questioning, Arvind Kejriwal attacked the BJP and said that the condition of not a single school in Gujarat had improved during its 30-year rule, while the AAP government in Delhi had turned around government schools.
He alleged that when the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) visited a school in Gujarat, a makeshift classroom had to be set up.
“You (BJP) say I am corrupt. I was commissioner in Income Tax Department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to… If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then no one is honest in this world.” said the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Now do whatever you want. You can’t stop now. Now India will remain the number one country in the world. pic.twitter.com/xLBloVKg7o— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 16, 2023
According to officials, the CBI is likely to question Arvind Kejriwal about the process of formulating the Delhi Excise Policy, especially the ‘untraceable’ file that was earlier to be placed before the Delhi Council of Ministers.
Officials said the CBI may also question the AAP leader on the statements of other accused, where he has indicated ways to allegedly influence policy in favor of some liquor barons and the ‘southern liquor lobby’.
Besides this, the agency may also seek his information about his role in the formulation of the excise policy and the alleged influence being exercised by traders and members of the ‘South Lobby’, officials said.
He said he may also be asked whether he was involved in formulating the policy before it was approved.
Kejriwal is being called as a witness and is not an accused in the excise policy case, in which his former deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26.
It has been alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy for granting licenses to liquor traders for 2021-22 favored some dealers who allegedly paid bribes for the same, an allegation by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was vehemently denied. The policy was later repealed.
Earlier on Saturday, Kejriwal had said that AAP has emerged as a ray of hope for the country and that is the reason why efforts are being made to trample it. In his first reaction after being served notice by the CBI to appear on Sunday, he said he would appear before the probe agency.
Addressing a press conference, he said that in the last 75 years no other party was targeted as much as AAP. He also alleged that the agencies were torturing people to extract false confessions.
I have received summons from CBI. I would definitely respect that. My press conference on the same. https://t.co/JwFtwb5Kfq— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2023
Kejriwal said he would sue the CBI and ED officials for allegedly giving perjury and filing false affidavits in courts.