Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would step down from his position within the next 48 hours. Addressing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers at the party headquarters after his release from Tihar Jail, Kejriwal stated that he would only return to his role, along with Manish Sisodia as Deputy CM, “when people confirm we are honest.”
Political Reactions and Accusations
The announcement has sparked intense reactions from opposition parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) labeled Kejriwal’s decision as a “confession of crime” and questioned whether the resignation was motivated by internal conflicts within AAP. BJP leaders also described the move as a “drama,” accusing Kejriwal of playing an “emotional card” to salvage his image after being granted conditional bail in the excise policy graft case. The Supreme Court had prohibited him from entering his office or signing any official documents.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi raised suspicions about the timing of the resignation. “Why didn’t he resign when he was arrested? This raises questions about conflicts within his party that may be too difficult for him to handle now,” Trivedi remarked.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the people of Delhi have already delivered their verdict by not voting for AAP in the Lok Sabha elections. He challenged Kejriwal and his cabinet to resign collectively and hold fresh elections in November, predicting that the public will provide a decisive response.
Kejriwal’s Alleged Plan to Appoint Wife as CM
Shehzad Poonawalla, another BJP national spokesperson, accused Kejriwal of plotting to install his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, as the next chief minister. Poonawalla suggested that Kejriwal’s resignation was part of a larger strategy to create a “Manmohan Singh-like system” in Delhi, with Sunita taking over the reins, similar to how Sonia Gandhi exercised influence during the Congress regime.
“The emotional and PR tactics being used are an attempt to orchestrate a power structure in Delhi, just as Sonia Gandhi did with Manmohan Singh,” Poonawalla alleged.
Congress’s Response
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit dismissed Kejriwal’s resignation as a mere “gimmick.” He pointed out that this was an unprecedented situation, where a sitting chief minister was released on bail but barred by the Supreme Court from entering the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) or signing official documents.
Dikshit remarked, “This has never happened to any other CM before. Perhaps even the Supreme Court fears that Kejriwal might tamper with the evidence. It is clear that morality and Arvind Kejriwal do not go hand in hand.”
As Kejriwal’s announcement continues to stir debate, the future leadership of Delhi remains uncertain. Political parties are closely watching the unfolding situation, which could lead to significant changes in the state’s governance.
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