Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a prominent opposition leader in India, has taken the bold decision to contest the upcoming elections while being held in jail.
Kejriwal, a key figure in the opposition alliance challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was arrested on March 21 as part of a long-running corruption probe.
The arrest stems from corruption charges and Kejriwal remains in custody pending the trial.
Despite his incarceration, Delhi Education Minister and member of Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Atshi Marleena Singh, stressed that the legal provisions allow Kejriwal to retain his position as chief minister.
Singh stated, “It is clear that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as Chief Minister of Delhi,” asserting that he has the right to remain in office if he is not tried and convicted.
Additionally, Singh suggested that Kejriwal’s resignation without due process could set a precedent for the removal of other opposition chief ministers.
The Enforcement Directorate, India’s main financial investigation agency responsible for Kejriwal’s arrest, has also opened investigations into several other state ministers or their relatives, all of whom are political opponents of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Narendra Modi.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to enjoy strong support from his supporters, critics say he is using law enforcement to intimidate his political opponents.
Arvind Kejriwal, aged 55, has vehemently denied the allegations leveled against him. His supporters held a rally in Delhi, claiming the charges were politically motivated and aimed at silencing Modi’s opponents ahead of the election.
Opponents of Narendra Modi and international human rights organizations have consistently raised concerns about the erosion of democracy in India.
According to Atashi Marleena Singh, the government files baseless charges against its opponents, which are quickly followed by arrests by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
With approximately one billion Indian citizens set to vote in the upcoming six-week general election that begins on April 19, tensions are running high.
In a show of support for Modi, hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers marched in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. BJP legislator Manoj Tiwari pointed out, “You can run a gang from jail, but governance cannot be done behind bars.”
