Kejriwal’s arrest will be advantageous to INDIA bloc in LS polls: Palekar

‘Centre trying to deflect people’s attention’

Margao: Chanting slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators, party leaders and workers staged a protest near the BJP office in Margao claiming the their national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ruling party, through the Enforcement Directorate (ED), only to divert the peoples’ attention from the main issue of electoral bonds, of which the BJP is a major beneficiary.

AAP cadre, with party flags in their hands, marched towards the BJP office even though a police posse was deployed to prevent breaking down of law and order and burnt an effigy of an ED official.

“We came here to show solidarity with our national leader Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. BJP is involved in his arrest as it wants to suppress the voice of the Opposition and divert attention of the people from the electoral bond issue, which has

exposed the BJP.  ED is actually an Extended Department of the BJP,” said Amit Palekar, president of state unit of AAP while briefing mediapersons in Margao.

Palekar alleged that the BJP received Rs 6,000 crore from the companies that were raided by the ED in the past. He said the arrest of Kejriwal will be an advantage to the INDIA bloc during the Lok Sabha elections in Goa and across the country.

AAP legislator of Benaulim constituency Venzy Viegas said Kejriwal has been arrested ahead of the election to prevent him from campaigning. “BJP is afraid of the INDIA alliance. It used the ED to arrest Kejriwal to stop him from making state-to-state visit to expose the BJP,” he said. 

Also lashing out at the Centre, Velim MLA Cruz Silva alleged that the BJP is resorting to cheap politics and, therefore, the people should teach the party a befitting lesson this time.    

Meanwhile, speaking at Benaulim office, Viegas said, “The BJP is worried and for the first time in the history of Indian democracy a Chief Minister has been put behind bars. This has happened because he is setting a model for running a state. We stand by our tall leader and his arrest will not stop us. We want to bring a change and the arrest is only an attempt to threaten us. It will backfire on BJP. We will continue the fight for democracy. It is time for Goans to wake up.”

AAP’s ZP member Hanzel Fernandes said, “We stand united with Kejriwal and what is being done is wrong. The arrest has been made when the election code of conduct is in effect. This clearly shows that BJP is scared.”