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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is planning to raid the house of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the coming days. Kejriwal made this claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and linked the purported raid to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) “desperation” ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, scheduled for February.
Kejriwal further asserted that the BJP is on the verge of losing the Delhi elections and is resorting to arrests and raids as a last-ditch effort. He also reaffirmed AAP’s stance as a “staunchly honest party,” adding that previous investigations into the party had yielded no evidence of wrongdoing.
The Excise Policy Case and Sisodia’s Arrest History
Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader and the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, has been embroiled in the excise policy case, a high-profile investigation led by the CBI. Sisodia was accused of corruption in the implementation of the Delhi government’s 2021-22 excise policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in March 2023 in connection with a money laundering case linked to the same policy.
After spending 17 months in jail, Sisodia was released in August 2024. Despite the legal troubles, Kejriwal and the AAP leadership have continued to defend Sisodia, maintaining his innocence and alleging that the cases are politically motivated.
Kejriwal Warns of Atishi’s Arrest
In addition to the claims regarding Sisodia, Kejriwal recently warned that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi might also face arrest in the near future. Speaking at a press conference, he alleged that central agencies, including the CBI, ED, and the Income Tax Department, were conspiring to fabricate false charges against Atishi.
“As per sources, there was a meeting between these agencies, and they have been instructed to arrest Atishi under any pretext,” Kejriwal claimed.
Official Response from the Transport Department
Kejriwal’s allegations have been refuted by senior officials in the Delhi government. Prashant Goyal, Assistant Chief Secretary (Transport), categorically denied the claims in a formal letter. He stated that no such investigation had been initiated by the transport department and described Kejriwal’s allegations as “misplaced and misleading.”
AAP’s Defense and BJP’s Alleged Desperation
Kejriwal has repeatedly accused the BJP of using investigative agencies as political tools to suppress opposition parties. He argued that the recent developments, including the raids and arrests, reflect the BJP's anxiety over losing power in Delhi.
“The BJP has not been able to find anything against us so far, and they will not find anything in the future. This is an outcome of their desperation as they face imminent defeat in the elections,” Kejriwal said.
Delhi Elections Around the Corner
The political landscape in Delhi is heating up as the assembly elections approach. With polling expected in February and the dates likely to be announced soon, both AAP and BJP are ramping up their campaigns. Kejriwal’s recent statements appear to be part of a broader strategy to portray AAP as a victim of political vendetta, while BJP continues to highlight the allegations of corruption against the AAP leadership.
Conclusion
Arvind Kejriwal’s claims about the CBI raid and potential arrest of Atishi underline the escalating tensions between AAP and BJP as the Delhi assembly elections draw closer. While AAP positions itself as a victim of targeted harassment, BJP has yet to respond directly to these fresh allegations. As the political drama unfolds, the voters of Delhi will be closely watching the developments that could shape the upcoming elections.
