"Running government from jail unconstitutional...violates oath of privacy": BJP leader on Arvind Kejriwal

Running government from jail is "unconstitutional" as it will violate the oath of confidentiality, senior leader and Bharatiya Janata Party election in-charge in Delhi, Om Prakash Dhankar said on Saturday.

Running government from jail is "unconstitutional" as it will violate the oath of confidentiality, senior leader and Bharatiya Janata Party election in-charge in Delhi, Om Prakash Dhankar said on Saturday. He said that it would not be possible for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to run the government from jail as any document coming in or going outside the jail would be examined by the jailor and jail superintendent.

Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail, after being arrested on March 21 by the ED in connection with the excise policy case. The trial court on April 1, sent Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15, 2024. While, Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly demanded Kejriwal's resignation, AAP leaders have remained steadfast that party's national convenor will continue on the post and run the government from jail.

Speaking to ANI, OP Dhankar said, "No one can run the government from jail...according to the jail manual, any document that comes to jail or leaves from the jail, it will be examined by the jailor. We have seen this earlier, that a complete letter wasn't allowed, and some parts were removed. So, there is no confidentiality left." "When the Chief Minister takes oath, there are only two oaths, honesty towards Constitution and confidentiality. If a policy gets known to others before being implemented, some people may take benefit out of it. The exact allegation against them (AAP) is that they framed the liquor policy by giving some people information," he added.

He further cited the example of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren who resigned from his post after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. "That's why Hemant Soren resigned before going to jail. But, he (Kejriwal) is stubborn about running the government from jail. If a jailor or jail superintendent gets to know about government policies, how will confidentiality remain? This is a very unconstitutional demand by them (AAP)," Dhankar further said.

The BJP Delhi election in-charge said that in the past too, whenever such a scenario occurred, the Chief Minister went to jail after tendering his resignation. On being asked who will replace Kejriwal if he resigns or if presidential rule will be imposed in Delhi, the BJP leader said, "That will be decided by the MLAs. In Jharkhand also, after Hemant Soren was arrested, they selected the new Chief Minister. But, running government from jail can't be acceptable. I think they are putting the Constitution at stake with their demand."

ED has alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld the legality of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). His custody will end on April 15 and he will be again presented in the court tomorrow.

Further speaking on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for the seven seats of Delhi, OP Dhankar affirmed confidence that the BJP will continue its trend and come out victorious in all seven seats. Notably, the BJP won all seven seats in Delhi in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections.

"The people of Delhi will bless us. Just like they put their faith in us in 2014 and 2019, this time also, we will win all seven seats. The people of Delhi love PM Modi and are very optimistic towards his work. That's why I don't think there is any challenge for us. Out of 400 seats, seven will be from Delhi," the senior BJP leader said. On being asked if the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party entering into an alliance in the state, would impact BJP's prospects, he said that none of the parties would be able to gain anything out of the coalition.

"The alliance between Congress and AAP is a 'minus coalition' and not a 'plus coalition'. AAP was formed to oppose the Congress party and oppose corruption. But, now the leaders of AAP are themselves in jail on corruption charges. So, it clearly shows there is no quality left in either of the parties. I don't think they will gain anything from this," Dhankar further added. The polling for the seven seats in Delhi will be held on May 25. The counting will be held on June 4.

According to the seat-sharing arrangement under the INDIA bloc, AAP will contest on four seats while Congress will contest on three. (ANI)

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