Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of being “the biggest danger” to democracy and institutions in the country, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday threw his weight behind his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee over developments in her State.
Accusing them of “murdering” democracy, Mr. Kejriwal, who had spoken to Ms. Banerjee over the phone on Sunday evening, chose to “strongly condemn” the happenings in Bengal. He said he was “in complete solidarity with the Bengal government” and attacked the Modi government for “unleashing all its agencies — CBI, ED, Income Tax — only on its political opponents”.
‘Misuse of power’
“What is happening in Kolkata today, the same had happened in Delhi almost four years ago. Like they tried to surround the residence of Kolkata police commissioner, in a similar way in June 2015, Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch was forcibly taken over by the Modi government by sending paramilitary forces,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener said.
The Modi government, Mr. Kejriwal alleged, had “consistently and strongly” attacked the federal structure of the Constitution since May 2014 and, “through its blatant misuse of power” continues to “unleash Central agencies to terrorise State governments, paralyse them, trying to ruin the careers of officers working in States.”
“I am of the firm view that the Modi-Shah duo is the biggest danger for the country and if we are to save this country, we will have to get rid of this duo in the coming Lok Sabha elections,” he said further.
BJP calls it ‘unfortunate’
On its part, the BJP termed “unfortunate for Delhi” the fact that Mr. Kejriwal “who came to power on the wave of an anti-corruption movement” was “stoutly supporting Mamata Banerjee who has come out in shameless support of the corrupt”.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said Ms. Banerjee and Mr. Kejriwal were “betraying” democracy by going against the directives of the courts. “The CBI went to West Bengal on directions of the Supreme Court. Leaders like Arvind Kejriwal are supporting Mamata Banerjee because they are scared of [Narendra] Modi who is dedicated to end corruption,” he claimed.
“Kejriwal’s support to Mamata has brought shame to Delhi and its people...Today, Kejriwal finds a role model in Mamata Banerjee as their respective journey is paved with anarchy, unconstitutionality and anti-democratic forces,” Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said.