New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticised former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal over his remarks concerning the judiciary.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed strong disapproval of Kejriwal’s actions, stating that it was inappropriate for him to question the impartiality of a High Court judge. The criticism followed reports that Kejriwal had written a letter to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, raising concerns about bias.
Addressing the issue, Chief Minister Gupta questioned Kejriwal’s stance, stating that undermining the judicial process was not appropriate. She remarked that the legal system functions independently and should be respected by all.
Gupta also referred to Kejriwal’s public statements, questioning his reluctance to appear before the court and his criticism of judicial proceedings. She said such actions raise concerns about respect for constitutional institutions.
The remarks come in the context of the 2022 Delhi liquor policy case, in which Kejriwal is an accused. BJP leaders have alleged that his statements reflect a lack of confidence in the judicial system.
Virendra Sachdeva said it was concerning that a leader who had taken an oath to uphold the Constitution was now making statements that could undermine its institutions. He added that Kejriwal had already pursued various legal remedies, including approaching the Supreme Court, and should continue to follow due process.
Sachdeva further criticised Kejriwal’s recent reference to adopting the path of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha. He questioned the relevance of such a comparison in the context of the allegations related to the liquor policy case.
According to BJP leaders, Kejriwal’s actions amount to political posturing rather than engagement with the legal process. They urged him to rely on constitutional mechanisms instead of making public allegations.
In a related statement, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor commented on remarks made by AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj. Kapoor rejected claims about public sentiment regarding political developments involving Raghav Chadha.
Kapoor stated that electoral outcomes in Delhi reflected public opinion on governance and corruption issues. He also alleged that concerns had been raised earlier within AAP regarding internal matters but were not addressed.
The BJP spokesperson added that political developments in other states, including Punjab, are being closely watched, and made claims about future electoral prospects of the AAP.
The exchange of statements highlights ongoing political tensions between the BJP and AAP, particularly in the context of legal proceedings and governance issues.
The matter remains part of a broader political and legal debate, with both sides continuing to present their positions through public statements and official channels.
