Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia stated shortly before arriving at the CBI office on Sunday for questioning in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam that false cases are being filed against ruling party leaders because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “afraid” of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“Conspiracies are being hatched by the CBI and ED and false cases being lodged against our party leaders because PM Narendra Modi is afraid of CM Arvind Kejriwal’s rising popularity. As AAP grows further, BJP will continue to slap false cases on us. We are not afraid of the CBI, ED and their false cases,” Sisodia said, claiming that people were starting to regard the AAP as an alternative to the BJP.
Before departing for CBI headquarters, Sisodia, along with party leaders Sanjay Singh and others, paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his final resting place at Raj Ghat. He claimed that the Prime Minister, while not afraid of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, was terrified of the AAP.
“Everyone says that only AAP will rid the country of the BJP in future. Modi-ji may not be scared of Rahul Gandhi but if there’s one party that he is scared, it is the AAP. They will put me in jail, but we are not afraid. We will fight. Kejriwal is the only future leader of this country,” Sisodia said, addressing supporters at Raj Ghat.
He also urged Arvind Kejriwal to “keep fighting” for the people’s well-being.
“I want to tell Kejriwal-ji, please continue with what are you doing. Keep fighting for the welfare of the people,” Sisodia said.
As AAP workers carrying placards gathered in large numbers outside Raj Ghat and raised slogans in support of Sisodia, police deployed heavy security. Following Sisodia’s questioning by the CBI, Delhi Police imposed Section 144 in the South Delhi district.
“Friends, this is a difficult time. Today, they are going to arrest me and put me in jail in a fake case. But, I don’t fear going to jail. We are sons of Bhagat Singh. I will go to jail for a few days ( kuch din chale jayenge jail ),” Sisodia said, requesting party supporters not to “leave” his family alone if he is jailed.
“I want to request you all not to leave my mother and wife alone ( Meri biwi aur maa ko akele mat chhodna ),” he added.
The CBI had previously summoned Sisodia for questioning on February 19.
However, on Sunday, the deputy CM requested that questioning be postponed because he was busy “preparing the Budget” and could only appear near the end of February.
In connection with the case, the CBI searched Sisodia’s bank locker in August of last year. The deputy CM claimed that the sleuths found no evidence of wrongdoing in his locker.
The CBI opened an investigation into the matter after receiving a report from the Delhi chief secretary recommending an investigation by the central agency.
