Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would be arrested in the next two to three days, said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj during a press conference in Delhi on Friday. Adding that, he said the BJP was worried over the alliance between AAP and Congress.

Addressing the press, Bharadwaj claimed that the BJP has warned the party of allying with Congress in different States. If AAP still does so, Kejriwal would be jailed and there is only one way to keep Kejriwal out of arrest, and that is not to ally with Congress, the AAP leader added.

Bharadwaj further said that his party received the information that Kejriwal would be arrested, following which, he asked the Centre why it was showing such haste. Bharadwaj also said that his party is aware that a notice under CrPC 41A is ready to be served to Kejriwal. And it’ll be handed over to him today and he will be arrested in the coming 2 to 3 days.

Taking a swipe at BJP, he said that they can arrest Kejriwal if they want to but the alliance between AAP and Congress will still take place.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi, too, hit out at the BJP and told the Centre to send as many notices as they wish, as many summons as they wish, arrest every leader of AAP, hang AAP leaders by the noose, but the party will not be bent down by their threats. AAP has fought for this country’s republic and Constitution and AAP will continue to do so in any circumstances.

On this, AAP leader Gopal Rai said that BJP need no basis but whosoever will speak against, BJP will act against them. From Delhi to Punjab the way roads have been blocked and converted into cantonments shows the frustration of the Centre.

He added whenever there was any step taken in Delhi by AAP that could create danger for the BJP, they acted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday condoled the demise of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi.

Taking to X, PM Modi recalled Joshi’s contribution in various capacities and said that he will be remembered for his diligence as a legislator too.

Expressing his pain, PM Modi said Joshi was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level. As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the state’s progress, PM Modi added.

PM Modi also remembered Joshi’s noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make the Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative, the PM said. Joshi will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures, PM Modi paid tribute.

Shah was also pained by the demise of Joshi and said that his contribution to the national and Maharashtra politics will be remembered.

Leaders cutting across party lines condoled the demise of former Lok Sabha Speaker and Maharashtra CM Joshi, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, calling him studious and disciplined.

Expressing his sadness, NCP president Sharad Pawar condoled the demise of Joshi and said that he was known for his work and outspoken attitude in the political circles. Joshi was the trusted leader of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray.

While holding the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he took everyone along and worked hard for the development of the state. During his tenure as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, he was instrumental in setting up an equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Parliament premises, Pawar added.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also paid condolence to the family of Manohar Joshi on his demise. Expressing his grief, he said that Joshi had deep affection for Maharashtra, Marathi people.

He was recognised as a scholarly and cultured face in Maharashtra politics.  Shinde said he was very humble, moderate, courteous and disciplined. His achievements and contributions in the political, social and educational fields of Maharashtra were radical changes, Shinde added.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and veteran Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi passed away in the early hours of Friday morning at the age of 86. He was admitted to the ICU of Hinduja Hospital following a cardiac arrest on Wednesday.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, Hinduja Hospital stated that former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday with severe illness. The statement added that the Shiv Sena leader had suffered a cardiac arrest. Earlier in May, he was admitted to the same hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Joshi served as chief minister from 1995 to 1999. He was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state. The Shiv Sena leader was elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and recalled that the veteran leader spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at municipal, state and national level. He added that as the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi worked tirelessly for the state’s progress. He mentioned that the Shiv Sena leader also made noteworthy contributions as Union Minister. 

The Prime Minister further remembered that Manohar Joshi strove to make Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. Expressing condolences to family and supporters, Narendra Modi said that Manohar Joshi will be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. 

Deputy leader of Shiv Sena, Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed sorrow over the demise of the senior leader and extended heartfelt condolences to his family. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the state had lost a cultured face of Maharashtra politics. The Union Minister recalled that he got an opportunity to work under the leadership of Manohar Joshi during the coalition government. 

Manohar Joshi began his career as a teacher and entered politics with his involvement in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and later became a member of the Shiv Sena. In 1980s, he became one of the key leaders within Shiv Sena and was known for his organisational skills.

Manohar Joshi was married to Anagha Joshi, who died in 2020. He is survived by a son and two daughters.