• A noticeable aspect of the Indian political scene ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was the united voice of the opposition, calling the arrest by the CBI an unfair way for the BJP to counter another party - the AAP.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday,
, in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 'scam'. The Rouse Avenue CBI court on Monday sent the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader to further five-day CBI custody for questioning.
Sisodia has denied any involvement in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-cancelled liquor policy for 2021-22.
However, a noticeable aspect of the Indian political landscape ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was a united voice from the opposition, calling CBI arrests an unfair means of the BJP to counter another party - the AAP.
Congress
The Indian National Congress, the largest opposition party, took a more nuanced stand on development. The Congress alleged that institutions such as the ED, the CBI and the Income Tax Department have become instruments of "political vendetta" under the Narendra Modi government and opposition leaders have been selectively targeted to destroy their reputations.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet, "The Congress has always believed that institutions like the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department have become instruments of political vendetta and harassment under the Modi government."
.@INCIndia has always held the view that institutions like the ED, CBI and Income Tax dept have become instruments of political vendetta and victimization under the Modi government. These institutions have lost all professionalism. Opposition leaders are selectively targeted to destroy their reputation
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_ramesh) February 27, 2023
CM Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that "many Sisodias" have been arrested in the country, but people are not getting to know about them.
He claimed that there is a "terror" of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department in the country, while the judiciary and the Election Commission are under pressure.
Trinamool Congress
Trinamool's Derek O'Brien tweeted, "If @msisodia had bought himself a BJP-branded washing machine, he would never have been arrested. Bravo, Manish... colleague... all have left BJP." Only CBI, ED, IT remain true allies."
If @msisodia had got himself a #BJP brand washing machine, he would never have been arrested. Bravo, Manish
Allies Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, JD(U), TDP and others have all left the BJP.
CBI, ED, IT remain true allies.
Targeting opposition leaders is a favorite pastime of the despondent duo
- Derek O'Brien | Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) February 26, 2023
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction)
Sanjay Raut, a senior leader of Shiv Sena's Thackeray faction and one of the jailed opposition leaders, tweeted, "The way BJP is arresting opposition leaders, I fear what will happen to BJP leaders in future when they are out." " Power".
The way BJP is arresting opposition leaders, I fear what will happen to BJP leaders in future when they are out of power. What if they are equally persecuted/arrested? who will come to them
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) February 26, 2023
Samajwadi Party
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "By arresting Manish Sisodia ji, who brought revolutionary changes in the field of education in Delhi, BJP has proved that it is not only against education but also against the future of the children of Delhi." "
