Atishi warns of potential ED arrests for her and three other AAP leaders unless they join BJP
PTC News Desk: In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi minister Atishi made startling claims on Tuesday, asserting that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is poised to arrest her and three other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders if they do not defect to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Atishi named Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak, and Raghav Chadha as the other targeted AAP figures.
"I have been informed that ED raids will soon be conducted at our residences, followed by our arrests. The BJP is now setting its sights on the next tier of AAP leadership," Atishi alleged.
She further disclosed that she had been approached to join the BJP through a personal contact. According to Atishi, the ultimatum presented to her was to either switch allegiance to the BJP and salvage her political career or face imminent arrest within the next month. "A close associate revealed to me that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to incarcerate every AAP leader. Following the arrests of Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh, the recent detention of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was just the beginning. Their next targets are myself, Raghav Chadha, Durgesh Pathak, and Saurabh Bharadwaj," she stated.
Atishi emphasised that the BJP had anticipated the collapse of the AAP following Kejriwal's arrest but retreated upon witnessing opposition parties rallying together at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. "Consequently, they have set their sights on the next echelon of AAP leadership," she added defiantly.
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Outlining a timeline of the purported events, Atishi predicted raids on her residence and those of her relatives, followed by summonses and eventual incarceration. However, she asserted that neither she nor her colleagues were intimidated by these threats. "We stand in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal. Even if all of us are imprisoned, ten others will step up to continue the fight alongside him," she declared.
To all those spreading fake news, I and @ArvindKejriwal ji both follow each other.
Yesterday’s Ramlila Maidan Rally was superhit. Delhi people are with Kejriwal. pic.twitter.com/d4iacrEWBa — Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) April 1, 2024
Atishi's assertions came in the wake of revelations by the ED, which named her and Saurabh Bharadwaj in court proceedings. The agency claimed that Arvind Kejriwal had disclosed to them that Vijay Nair, a central figure in an alleged liquor scam, reported to Atishi and Saurabh. Atishi regarded this disclosure as redundant, asserting that the ED had been apprised of this information previously. Nevertheless, she noted that the agency's revelation in court paved the way for potential action against her and Saurabh.
Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on March 21 in connection with the liquor probe has plunged Delhi's political landscape into turmoil. Despite his detention, AAP maintains that Kejriwal will continue to serve as chief minister and manage the government affairs from Tihar jail.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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