Congress Launches Scathing Attack on BJP Following Kejriwal's Discharge in Excise Policy Case
In a fiery response to the discharge of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, the Congress party on Friday unleashed a barrage of criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera branded the BJP as "not a political party but a shape-shifter, wishful serpent", accusing it of stooping to any level to defeat the Congress. This outburst highlights the escalating political tensions as electoral dynamics shift across key states.
Allegations of Selective Legal Actions and Electoral Machinations
Khera elaborated that the BJP is following a predictable script by accelerating cases against senior Congress functionaries like P Chidambaram, while proceedings against convenient allies, such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), are likely to vanish quietly. He pointed to the upcoming Gujarat and Punjab elections as the driving force behind this alleged strategy. "The actions of investigative agencies like the CBI and ED appear to be influenced by electoral exigencies," Khera claimed, suggesting a pattern of political vendetta rather than impartial justice.
Drawing a parallel with recent political maneuvers, Khera noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden praise for the Trinamool Congress in Bengal after years of criticism, calling it an attempt to "land a cheap blow" at the Congress. This, he argued, is part of a broader tactic to undermine opposition unity and consolidate power ahead of crucial polls.
Corruption Allegations and Public Deception Claims
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav added to the chorus, alleging that despite serious corruption allegations, Arvind Kejriwal is attempting to mislead the public by pretending to be cleansed in what he termed the BJP's "washing machine" of corruption stigma. Yadav emphasized that the excise policy case involves significant violations, including breaches of the Master Plan 2021, which were reported by Delhi Congress as early as June 2022.
In Punjab, Leader of the Opposition Partap Bajwa intensified the criticism, labeling the handling of the Rs 12,000 crore excise case as "a friendly match, a velvet glove boxing by BJP and AAP". He alleged that this cozy relationship is a quid pro quo for favors, such as the AAP government not allowing farmers' protests against the India-US trade deal. Bajwa's remarks underscore the deep-seated suspicions of collusion between the two parties in states where they are ostensibly rivals.
Mixed Reactions from Allies and Internal Divisions
Despite the harsh rhetoric from Congress leaders, the party's allies offered a contrasting perspective. DMK chief MK Stalin, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, CPM, Shiv Sena (UBT), and National Conference, along with Congress members Manish Tewari, KL Sharma, and Margaret Alva, welcomed the court order discharging Kejriwal. They slammed the BJP for what they described as "political vendetta", indicating a split in the opposition's stance on the issue.
This division reflects the complex political landscape, where Congress faces challenges from AAP in states like Punjab and Gujarat. In the 2022 state polls, AAP replaced Congress in Punjab and dented its prospects in Gujarat, making the current allegations of electoral manipulation all the more poignant. Congress now fancies its chances in Punjab following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but must navigate these internal and external tensions carefully.
Background and Legal Context of the Excise Policy Case
The controversy stems from the Delhi excise policy, which has been under scrutiny for alleged irregularities. On June 3, 2022, Delhi Congress filed a complaint highlighting violations of the Master Plan 2021, and by September 5, 2022, evidence was submitted to the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police. Yadav argued that if the investigation had been impartial, both senior BJP functionaries and Kejriwal would have faced legal consequences. Instead, he claims, the process has been tainted by political considerations, raising questions about the integrity of India's legal and electoral systems.
As the political drama unfolds, the Congress party's accusations against the BJP set the stage for a heated electoral battle, with implications for governance, corruption, and democratic accountability in India.
