Delhi Elections 2025: Just before the Delhi Assembly elections, troubles seem to be increasing for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its chief Arvind Kejriwal. The Home Ministry has given permission to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the money laundering case related to the liquor scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has termed Kejriwal as the mastermind and kingpin in this case. This decision can prove to be a big setback for AAP in the election environment.
Permission to prosecute Kejriwal and Sisodia
In November last year, the Supreme Court had issued an order, stating that it would be mandatory to take permission from the concerned authority to prosecute any public official. Now the Home Ministry has given the green signal to the ED to take action against Kejriwal and Sisodia. The ED has already filed a chargesheet against Kejriwal in the liquor scam, describing him as the mastermind of the scam.
Chargesheet and court proceedings
After the ED chargesheet, Arvind Kejriwal had approached the Delhi High Court. He had demanded that cognizance of the chargesheet be stayed. But the ED arrested the then Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on March 21 and filed a detailed chargesheet against him in May.
Impact on election atmosphere
The liquor scam has become a major political issue in view of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi. BJP and Congress are constantly attacking AAP on this matter. Opposition parties are calling it an example of AAP's corruption policy. After the permission of the Home Ministry, the hearing of the case may be expedited, which may affect the electoral prospects of AAP and Kejriwal.
What is Delhi's alleged liquor scam?
During the Corona epidemic, in November 2021, the Delhi government implemented a new excise policy. Under this policy, a provision was made to give liquor contracts to private companies in Delhi. However, in July 2022, a controversy arose over this policy. After this, the then Lieutenant Governor of Delhi VK Saxena ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter.
In its investigation, the CBI registered an FIR under money laundering. After this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also started investigation in this matter. According to ED, this scam is more than Rs 100 crore. ED claims that in exchange for changing the liquor policy, the AAP government took a huge amount from some companies of South India.
Defense of AAP
The AAP party and its leaders have termed these allegations as a political conspiracy. The party says that the entire process was done in a transparent manner and all decisions were taken under the rules. The party also says that the final approval of the liquor policy was given by the then Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, so it is wrong to blame the government.
Effect on election strategy
The liquor scam is becoming an important issue for the Delhi Assembly elections. While the AAP party is taking time to give its clarification, the opposition parties are continuously attacking on this matter.
Experts believe that this scam can affect the voters of Delhi. Especially the urban middle class and young voters, who have been supporting AAP till now, may be affected after this scam.
Conclusion
The alleged liquor scam in Delhi can become a big challenge for the AAP party in the upcoming elections. The pressure on the party has increased after permission was granted to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. This case will not only have a political impact, but it can also affect the future of Delhi politics. Now it remains to be seen how the AAP party deals with this crisis and wins the trust of the voters again.