Pawar Condemns Kejriwal's Arrest, Foresees Backlash Against BJP for Power Misuse

In a recent statement from Pune, Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar, voiced his strong disapproval of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Pawar criticized what he perceives as a blatant misuse of power by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and warned of electoral repercussions for the party. The arrest, linked to an excise policy money laundering case, has sparked a wave of criticism from leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc.

During his address in Baramati, Maharashtra, Pawar drew parallels between the current political climate and the Emergency period, expressing confidence in the electorate's ability to respond to such actions in upcoming elections. He highlighted the arrest of Kejriwal, who also serves as the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as an example of federal agencies being weaponized against opposition voices.

The NCP SP chief also pointed out recent actions against the Congress party, including the freezing of its bank accounts, which he sees as an attempt to cripple its election campaign financially. This move against Congress and the arrest of key political figures like Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, and now Kejriwal, according to Pawar, are indicative of a broader pattern of targeting opposition leaders through central agencies.

Pawar defended Kejriwal's right to formulate policies for Delhi, stating that the excise policy was a legitimate exercise of the state cabinet's authority. He questioned the justification behind arresting a sitting chief minister and his colleagues over policy decisions, labeling it as an extreme misuse of power by the BJP.

Expressing concern over the impact of such actions on the fairness of upcoming elections, Pawar condemned the arrest on behalf of the INDIA bloc and pledged strong support for Kejriwal. He predicted that these actions would backfire on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, citing Kejriwal's significant public support and his three-time tenure as Chief Minister.

Pawar warned that ignoring constitutional violations could lead to situations seen in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The arrest of Kejriwal by ED came shortly after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the agency. This unprecedented arrest of a sitting chief minister has led to a strong reaction from AAP and other INDIA bloc constituents, who view it as a sign of BJP's panic ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

The AAP has stated that despite Kejriwal's arrest, he will continue his duties as Chief Minister, even if it means running the government from jail. This incident has not only stirred political debates but also raised questions about democratic processes and the use of federal agencies in political rivalries.