Ahead of surrender, Kejriwal labels exit polls as fake
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday called the exit poll results that predicted a sweeping victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fake. Addressing Aam Aadmi Party workers at the party's office ahead of his scheduled surrender before the Tihar Jail authorities, he alleged that the exit polls were conducted three days before the Lok Sabha election results to manipulate electronic voting machines (EVMs). "Take it in writing, all these exit polls are fake," Kejriwal said.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 over corruption allegations linked to Delhi's now-defunct liquor policy. The probe agency alleges that Kejriwal played a significant role in drafting the policy and soliciting bribes for liquor licenses. It claimed that his party, the AAP, received kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore which were used to fund its Goa and Punjab election campaigns. Both Kejriwal and AAP have denied these charges, labeling them as "political vendetta."
Kejriwal questions exit polls' timing, predictions
Kejriwal questioned the timing and accuracy of the exit polls, pointing out discrepancies in their predictions. "One exit poll gave 33 seats to BJP in Rajasthan whereas there are only 25 seats there," he said. Most exit polls have predicted that the AAP would not secure any of Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats.
'Going to jail because I spoke against dictatorship'
Kejriwal today alleged that he was sent to jail because he raised his voice against dictatorship. "I am going to jail again, not because I have done a scam but because I have raised my voice against dictatorship...Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted this in front of the country that he does not have any evidence against me," he stated.
Delhi court reserves interim bail order
On Saturday, the Rouse Avenue court reserved its order on Kejriwal's interim bail plea until June 5. Kejriwal has filed two different petitions before the court. While the first sought regular bail, the second sought interim bail for seven days on medical grounds. His regular bail plea is set for a hearing on June 7.
Kejriwal's health concerns rejected as grounds for bail extension
At the interim bail hearing on Saturday, the ED asserted that the trial court cannot consider Kejriwal's plea since it cannot change the Supreme Court's order on interim bail. Opposing Kejriwal's bail plea, the ED alleged that he continued campaigning despite claiming ill health as his surrender date neared." Notably, in his request for interim bail, Kejriwal stated that he lost 6-7 kilograms (kgs) during his incarceration and was unable to regain them even after his release.
