Atishi: Kejriwal's arrest could boost AAP's electoral prospects with public sympathy

Atishi, a minister in the Delhi government, stated that the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would benefit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. She described the arrest as an attack on democracy, unprecedented in India's democratic history.

Sympathy for AAP

Atishi remarked that the arrest of Kejriwal had garnered significant sympathy for AAP among the public. She suggested that prior to the arrest, it seemed inevitable that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure victory in the elections. However, she noted a shift in sentiment following Kejriwal's arrest, with public sympathy increasingly favoring AAP.

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Atishi characterized the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a "People vs BJP" contest, emphasizing the broader implications of Kejriwal's arrest beyond party politics. She argued that the actions taken against opposition parties, such as sealing AAP offices and freezing Congress' bank accounts, raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

Concerns about Democracy

Atishi expressed serious concerns about the state of democratic institutions in India, citing the arrest of opposition leaders and the alleged manipulation of investigative agencies for political ends. She highlighted the need for free and fair elections and criticized the suppression of opposition voices by the ruling party.

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Atishi accused the BJP of orchestrating Kejriwal's arrest and using government institutions to undermine opposition parties. She claimed that despite extensive investigations, no evidence of wrongdoing had been found against AAP in the alleged excise policy scam. Atishi also alleged that the BJP was attempting to thwart free and fair elections to maintain its grip on power.

Atishi further stated that AAP was facing obstacles in organizing rallies and events due to lack of permissions from authorities, including the Delhi Police. She emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure that opposition parties could effectively participate in the electoral process.