From Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Sitaram Yechury to Sambit Patra; Here's how leaders reacted to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

A team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his official residence regarding the excise policy case.  The ED's action follows the decision of the Delhi High Court to reject Chief Minister Kejriwal's plea for protection from arrest in the liquor policy case. The central agency had summoned Kejriwal for questioning regarding alleged financial irregularities, which he consistently refused to comply with, citing the illegality of the summons.

Here's how political leaders reacted:

Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP, expressed his concerns over what he perceives as dictatorial tactics aimed at undermining democracy. He accused the ruling party of capturing institutions, manipulating media, and targeting opposition parties through unethical means.

डरा हुआ तानाशाह, एक मरा हुआ लोकतंत्र बनाना चाहता है।

मीडिया समेत सभी संस्थाओं पर कब्ज़ा, पार्टियों को तोड़ना, कंपनियों से हफ्ता वसूली, मुख्य विपक्षी दल का अकाउंट फ्रीज़ करना भी ‘असुरी शक्ति’ के लिए कम था, तो अब चुने हुए मुख्यमंत्रियों की गिरफ्तारी भी आम बात हो गई है।

INDIA इसका…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 21, 2024

Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief, suggested that the BJP's efforts to silence opposition voices through arrests indicate their fear of electoral defeat. He viewed Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest as a catalyst for a new movement against the ruling party.

जो ख़ुद हैं शिकस्त के ख़ौफ़ में क़ैद
‘वो’ क्या करेंगे किसी और को क़ैद

भाजपा जानती है कि वो फिर दुबारा सत्ता में नहीं आनेवाली, इसी डर से वो चुनाव के समय, विपक्ष के नेताओं को किसी भी तरह से जनता से दूर करना चाहती है, गिरफ़्तारी तो बस बहाना है।

ये गिरफ़्तारी एक नयी जन-क्रांति को…

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 21, 2024

Bhupesh Baghel, former Chattisgarh CM and Congress leader, accused the BJP of resorting to dictatorial tactics and vowed opposition unity against such actions.

जो भाजपा में नहीं जाएंगे, वो जेल जाएंगे.

तानाशाही चरम पर है. सनद रहे, अहंकार ईश्वर का भोजन है. हम सब तानाशाही के विरुद्ध एकजुट हैं. #ArvindKejriwal

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) March 21, 2024

Sitaram Yechury, CPI-M General Secretary, condemned Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest and accused the ruling party of using state machinery to target opposition leaders. He viewed these arrests as an attempt to intimidate and silence dissent.

Strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi CM, Shri Arvind Kejriwal by the ED.
It’s the second sitting CM of the INDIA bloc to be arrested.
Clearly, Modi and the BJP are in panic over people’s rejection in the ongoing elections.
All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP…

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) March 21, 2024

Deepender Hooda, Congress MP, criticized the BJP for targeting opposition leaders and suppressing dissenting voices through government agencies. He lamented the diminishing space for opposition parties under the current government.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

Congress MP Deepender Hooda says, "The working style of the Bharatiya Janata Party government of targeting all the opposition leaders of the… pic.twitter.com/heZ3nBdFmn

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

The CPI (M) denounced Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest as an unconstitutional action aimed at stifling opposition voices.

"We Strongly Condemn the Arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," tweets CPI(M). pic.twitter.com/bw6dyNiyxw

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

Supriya Sule, NCP-SCP leader and MP, expressed solidarity with Chief Minister Kejriwal, denouncing his arrest as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine democratic values.

I stand in solidarity with @ArvindKejriwal ji. This is yet another politically motivated arrest by the ED at the behest of the BJP Government to suppress the voice of the opposition & undermine the electorate at large. We are resilient and united in our fight for constitutional…

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) March 21, 2024

Sharad Pawar, NCP-SCP chief, condemned the alleged misuse of central agencies to target opposition leaders and accused the BJP of resorting to unconstitutional means for political gain.

Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. ‘INDIA’ stands united against this unconstitutional action against #ArvindKejriwal

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) March 21, 2024

Kunal Ghosh, TMC leader, criticized the BJP's use of central agencies to target non-BJP parties and leaders ahead of elections, branding it as vindictive politics.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, "This is vindictive politics ahead of Lok Sabha elections. BJP knows it is losing from every state that is why it is… pic.twitter.com/TGb9UMZEdx

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin alleged that BJP's arrests and targeting of opposition leaders like Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal signal desperation and decay of democracy. No BJP leaders face scrutiny. Public backlash grows, strengthening the resolve of the INDIA alliance.

Ahead of #Elections2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Hon'ble Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal, following the unjust targeting of brother @HemantSorenJMM.

Not a single BJP leader faces…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 21, 2024

These statements reflect widespread condemnation of Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest and concerns over the alleged misuse of state machinery for political purposes.

BJP's Reaction:

Sambit Patra, BJP national spokesperson, criticized Arvind Kejriwal's alleged involvement in corruption, highlighting discrepancies in the excise policy and accusing him of giving contracts to associates for personal gain.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra says, "A high voltage drama is going on outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal. A celebration of… pic.twitter.com/ld0k4lYaXb

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

Gaurav Bhatia, BJP leader, welcomed Kejriwal's arrest, labeling him as dishonest and asserting his role in the alleged liquor scam.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, "The people of India and especially the people of Delhi are welcoming the arrest of the blatantly dishonest Arvind… pic.twitter.com/McQlVgQUTn

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP National Secretary, hailed Kejriwal's arrest as a victory against corruption, emphasizing the evidence against him and applauding the judiciary for upholding the rule of law.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa says "Today the truth has won. Delhi's most corrupt Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested.… pic.twitter.com/SEyuaSHpKZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024

Shehzad Poonwalla, BJP leader, condemned Kejriwal's actions, accusing him of corruption and evasion of legal summons, and likening his conduct to that of convicted politicians.

#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise policy case.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonwalla says, "... The people of Delhi had voted you into power to make better 'paathshala' but you opened a 'madhushala'.… pic.twitter.com/FTgKtE5kxK

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2024