Centre trying to derail Delhi’s health, education revolution: Kejriwal

There have been raids and investigations against us earlier too, nothing came out of them, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the Central government of going after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia through the CBI to “derail Delhi’s education and health revolution” even as the investigation agency raided his deputy’s residence.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had recommended a CBI investigation into “deliberate and gross procedural lapses” in the revamped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 on July 22 following which the AAP government had decided to scrap it.

As already reported by The Hindu, Mr. Sisodia’s role was under the lens in regard to the proposed CBI probe for allegedly providing “undue financial favours” to individuals and firms provided liquor retail licences under the new policy.

On the other hand, a Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) report on the matter, which has been accessed by The Hindu, indicted Mr. Sisodia for alleged departure from procedure by creating multiple files to reduce the number of dry days in Delhi from 21 to 3 of which seven Excise department officials, including then Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, an IAS officer, were also allegedly a part.

Citing a report in TheNew York Timesand without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr. Kejriwal accused the Centre of “sending the CBI” to the Excise Minister’s doorstep as part of a “witch-hunt” at a time when the world was praising him “as the best Education Minister.”

“America’s biggest newspaper The New York Times published our Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s photo on its front page, appreciated Delhi’s Education Model; I congratulate the whole country, it is a matter of pride; but it is shameful that the Centre sent the CBI behind Manish Sisodia hours after the news was published,” the Chief Minister said.

“We welcome the CBI with open arms, we will fully cooperate with them; there have been raids and investigations against us earlier too, nothing came out of them, we’ll come out clear this time too,” he added.