Amidst the controversy surrounding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised serious allegations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding a “money trail” linked to the Delhi liquor policy case.
The ED had informed the court that Arvind Kejriwal allegedly acted as a middleman, facilitating kickbacks worth ₹100 crore from the “South Group” to the Delhi government. In response, AAP’s Atishi countered these claims by asserting that the money trail actually led to the BJP. She pointed to Aurobindo Pharma director Sharath Chandra Reddy’s involvement, stating that he had donated significant amounts to the BJP through electoral bonds.
Atishi highlighted the sequence of events, noting that Reddy initially denied any association with Kejriwal or AAP during questioning in November 2022. However, after being arrested by the ED and spending several months in jail, Reddy’s statement changed, claiming interactions with Kejriwal over the excise policy matter. Atishi emphasized the timing of Reddy’s bail, which coincided with his altered statement.
The AAP leader drew attention to data released by the Election Commission regarding donations through electoral bonds. According to this data, Aurobindo Pharma purchased bonds worth ₹52 crore between April 2021 and November 2023, with a significant portion going to the BJP. Atishi underscored that 66% of these bonds were for the BJP, while the remainder was split between other political parties.
Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED stems from allegations related to corruption in the Delhi liquor policy, which purportedly provided high-profit margins for wholesalers and retailers, with kickbacks allegedly funneled to AAP leaders. The ED’s investigation focuses on Vijay Nair, who was linked to AAP and allegedly received an advance payment of ₹100 crore from the “South Group.”
Despite Kejriwal’s arrest, AAP has affirmed that he will continue to lead the government, even if from within jail. The unfolding developments have sparked intense scrutiny and debate, raising questions about political funding, electoral bonds, and the intersection of government policies with financial interests.
Sources By Agencies
