Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister, was freed on Friday, May 10 after 50 days in Tihar Jail when the Supreme Court granted him temporary bail in the excise policy case. He is now permitted to campaign for AAP in the Lok Sabha Election 2024 till June 1.
Stepping out of jail, Kejriwal remarked, “As I vowed, I’ve come back. First and foremost, I offer my gratitude to Hanuman ji. It’s his divine grace that reunites me with you all today. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the countless individuals nationwide who’ve supported me with their affection and blessings. I also thank the Supreme Court justices for their consideration. “I have a request,” he stated, “we must safeguard our country from dictatorship. I am fiercely battling against it with my Tan, Man, Dhan.”
Kejriwal found himself in trouble over the liquor policies in Delhi and was taken into custody on March 21st. However, he was released from Tihar jail on Friday night, with a condition to return on June 2nd. This release is only to allow him to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as Delhi is set to vote on May 25th. During this period, he cannot carry out his duties as the Chief Minister.
The Supreme Court has imposed restrictions on Kejriwal’s access to the chief minister’s office and Delhi Secretariat. He is now required to seek approval from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi before signing any official documents. Additionally, he is prohibited from making any comments regarding his involvement in the ongoing case and is not permitted to contact or interact with any witnesses related to the case.
On Arvind Kejriwal’s bail, Amit Shah, the country’s Home Minister and prominent leader of the Bhartiya Janta Party, responded to a TV reporter’s question by saying, “This isn’t your usual bail. It’s temporary,” in an election rally in Raniganj, West Bengal. “While he can campaign, every time he does, it will bring back memory of the excise scam among the public.”
How can Arvind Kejriwal’s bail impact the Lok Sabha Election 2024?
Kejriwal is the supreme leader, chief planner, and most effective communicator of the Aam Aadmi Party. He will surely sharpen the party’s criticism of the BJP in the upcoming election campaign by his speeches.
Aam Aadmi party is currently in power in Delhi and the state of Punjab. The polling process will be held in Delhi on May 25 while Punjab will vote for the Lok Sabha elections on June 1. Arvind Kejriwal’s bail grants him a chance to dive into campaigning across both regions where his party is strong on the ground. In Delhi, AAP and Congress have formed an alliance and split the seats, with AAP eyeing four and Congress three. Meanwhile, AAP is contesting 13 seats on its own in Punjab.
His bail is also seen as a boost for the opposition alliance, I.N.D.I.A in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Many believe this will only reinforce the perception of a central government determined to imprison opposition figures out of fear of losing elections.
Major opposition leaders have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision of granting interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. “I welcome the interim bail order granted to Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal by the SC. India remains steadfast in the pursuit of democracy,” NCP leader Sharad Pawar wrote on X.
West Bengal’s Chief minister, Mamata Banerjee also tweeted on this issue, “I am very happy to see that Shri Arvind Kejriwal has got interim bail. It will be very helpful in the context of the current elections.”
Former CM of Uttar pradesh and leader of samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X, “The bail of Delhi’s popular Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal ji is another victory of truth.The strength and unity of the ‘India Alliance’ is going to liberate the people of India from the painful rule of BJP. Unite and pledge to vote!”
Looking ahead to the Lok Sabha Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal’s return has made the election politics even more interesting. As he emerges from the confines of Tihar Jail, his temporary bail marks both a personal reprieve and a strategic opportunity in the political arena.With elections looming in Delhi and Punjab, Kejriwal’s re-entry into campaigning will bring a fresh competitive spirit among the opposition leaders and BJP.
Update: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered at Tihar Jail after his interim bail ended on June 1, 2024. Kejriwal’s journey from campaigning to surrender highlights the complexities of Indian politics and the legal system. Let’s recap the key incidents surrounding his bail and subsequent surrender:
- Interim Bail and Campaigning:
- Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in connection with a money laundering case.
- His bail allowed him to campaign during the general elections, which concluded on June 1.
- Surrender at Tihar Jail:
- On June 2, Kejriwal paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat before surrendering at Tihar Jail.
- He also visited the Hanuman Temple and addressed party workers.
- Court Proceedings:
- A Delhi court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody till June 5.
- His wife and daughter were present as he left Tihar Jail after 50 days.
- Bhagat Singh’s Words:
- In an address to party workers, Kejriwal invoked Bhagat Singh, saying, “When power becomes a dictatorship, jail becomes a responsibility.” He expressed his readiness to face any consequences.
Certainly! Here are the Delhi Lok Sabha Election Results for June 4, 2024:
- BJP Wins All Seven Seats: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victories in all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. This outcome highlights the party’s strong performance in the national capital.
- Key Results:
- North East Delhi: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari won with 495,548 votes, leading over Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar by 121,276 votes.
- Chandni Chowk: BJP’s Praveen Khandelwal emerged victorious with a margin of 89,325 votes.
- New Delhi: Bansuri Swaraj (BJP) defeated AAP leader Somnath Bharti with a voting margin of 78,370 votes.
- South Delhi: Ramvir Singh Bidhuri (BJP) secured a win against AAP candidate Sahi Ram.
- Party-Wise Vote Share:
- BJP: 7 seats
- AAP: 0 seats
- Congress: 0 seats
