'Blatant assault on democracy': Mamata Banerjee condemns Arvind Kejriwal's ED arrest

Mamata, a staunch opponent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), posted on X, "I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity.

"It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy."

In the same X post, Mamata, who heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC), said the anti-BJP front, INDIA, will meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) to express their objection to the arrest when elections have been announced.

She said, " Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period.

"To this end, I have designated @derekobrienmp and @MdNadimulHaque6 to represent @AITCofficial in this crucial meeting with the Election Commission."

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case last night from his residence, will be produced in court on Friday.

Kejriwal has become the first serving Chief Minister to be arrested and is the third senior leader from the party to be arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam.

The arrest comes hours after a team from the ED questioned him at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Atishi, who is at the forefront in briefing the media and taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has confirmed that Kejriwal will continue to remain the chief Minister of the national capital.

According to reports, the AAP will approach the Supreme Court against the arrest on Friday.

Kejriwal had already skipped nine summons issued by the ED in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the case in February last year, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was taken into custody in October.