News Mania desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/31st May 2024
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday that he will surrender to the police at Tihar Jail on Sunday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, currently out on interim bail, cited recent health issues as the reason for his decision. Kejriwal stated that he needs to undergo comprehensive medical tests to rule out any serious illnesses. He also appealed to Delhi residents to look after his ailing parents.
“The Supreme Court had given me 21 days to campaign for the elections. The day after tomorrow, I will go back to Tihar Jail. I don’t know how long these people will keep me in jail this time. But my spirits are high. I am proud that I am going to jail to save the country from dictatorship. They tried to break me in many ways, tried to silence me, but they did not succeed. When I was in jail, they tortured me in many ways. They stopped my medicines… I don’t know what these people wanted. Why did they do this?” Kejriwal said, as reported by ANI.
Kejriwal revealed that he has lost nearly 10 percent of his body weight since his initial incarceration. His weight dropped from 70 kg to 64 kg, and he has not regained any weight since his release on interim bail. He expressed concerns that this weight loss might indicate a serious health condition, necessitating various tests.
The AAP chief plans to leave for Tihar Jail at 3 pm on Sunday. He vowed to continue working for Delhi’s development from behind bars, assuring citizens that key services like free electricity, mohalla clinics, hospitals, and free medicines would continue. He also promised to introduce a monthly stipend of ₹1000 for every mother and sister upon his return.
Kejriwal and several AAP leaders face allegations of accepting kickbacks for formulating a liquor policy that favored certain businessmen and politicians. He was arrested on March 21 in connection with this case. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court granted him a 21-day reprieve from jail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, despite objections from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
However, the Supreme Court refused to extend his interim bail this week, advising him to approach the trial court. On Thursday, Kejriwal filed a plea in a Delhi court seeking regular bail in the excise policy case.
This situation underscores the contentious political climate in India, with significant implications for Delhi’s governance and the broader national political landscape. The outcome of Kejriwal’s legal battles and health issues will be closely watched, potentially impacting his political future and the AAP’s prospects in the ongoing elections.
