New Delhi: Hours after being discharged in the Delhi excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a direct political challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, daring them to conduct fresh elections in the national capital.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, “If the BJP has the courage, hold fresh elections in Delhi. If they win more than 10 seats, I will quit politics. The people of Delhi are fed up.”
On Friday, the Rouse Avenue CBI Special Court discharged 23 accused, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Former BRS leader K. Kavitha was also among those discharged. The court observed that the prosecution had failed to establish credible evidence to support allegations of a “larger conspiracy” or criminal intent.
Kejriwal alleged that Delhi has suffered since the BJP returned to power earlier this year, accusing Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating what he termed the “biggest political conspiracy in independent India” to unseat the AAP government.
“This entire case was fabricated from the beginning. Had there been any substance, the trial would have lasted 15–20 years with hundreds of witnesses. Instead, the court itself has said there is no material to proceed,” he said.
Referring to the detailed court order, Kejriwal noted that after examining hundreds of pages of evidence and witness statements, the judge concluded there was insufficient material even at the preliminary stage to frame charges.
He further accused Modi and Shah of conspiring to politically eliminate AAP and demanded that they apologise to the nation. “No one should play with the Constitution and the country for the sake of power,” he added.
Welcoming the court’s order, Kejriwal said, “Truth has prevailed over falsehood. Justice has been delivered,” and thanked his legal team, including senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, for their efforts.
With this sharp political challenge, the Delhi excise policy controversy has now shifted from the courtroom to the political arena.
