Arvind Kejriwal, currently detained at Tihar Jail due to the liquor scam, appears to be getting no respite. On one hand, the High Court on Tuesday affirmed the arrest to be just, while on Wednesday, Rouse Avenue Court rejected the plea that sought permission for Kejriwal to meet his lawyer five times a week. Kejriwal, who was seeking an immediate hearing in the Supreme Court, did not get his wish as no special bench was forged. Now, Raj Kumar Anand, a minister in Kejriwal's government, trusting the allegations of the CM's involvement in corruption, has resigned. Questions are being raised whether this marks the beginning of a series of resignations and whether Kejriwal will persist in running the government from jail or will he tender his resignation.
In Kejriwal's government, there were six ministers, including Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain, and Kailash Gahlot—all of whom the Enforcement Directorate has previously questioned regarding the liquor scam. The fourth and fifth ministers, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi, according to the Enforcement Directorate, reported directly to accused Vijay Nair. Raj Kumar Anand, the sixth minister, resigned claiming despair upon witnessing corruption within the party. Therefore, presently, out of the seven crucial figures in the Delhi government, four ministers, including Kejriwal, are either accused in the liquor scam or their names have been heard in the court; and one has resigned after allegedly revealing corruption within the party.
Kejriwal's Minister Raises Questions About Government Operations
Raj Kumar Anand's resignation has spiced up the political game in the nation's capital. Notably, at a time when Kejriwal is determined to govern from jail, dismissing all accusations as false, and when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is countering jail terms with votes through campaign, and AAP is equating jailed leaders to Bhagat Singh. Amidst this scenario, minister Raj Kumar Anand became not only the first leader to raise questions within the party but also the first in the party to trust the allegations of Kejriwal's involvement in the liquor scam. He called the media suddenly on Wednesday evening and with words like remorse, discomfort, and moral strength, made a profound statement.
Raj Kumar Anand Resigns from Party and Ministerial Position
"I entered politics when Kejriwal said that changing politics would change the country. Today, I regretfully say that while politics have not changed, the politicians have. AAP was born from the movement against corruption. But today, the party itself is entrapped in a quagmire of corruption. Remaining in the ministerial position and continuing to work had become unbearable. I resign from the party, government, and the ministerial post. I do not want my name associated with corrupt conduct. I believe we no longer possess the moral authority to govern," he declared to the media. He added, "Until yesterday, it seemed like we were being framed, but when the High Court delivered its verdict, it appeared that there's something wrong within us," thereby calling for Kejriwal's resignation citing moral principles.
Will Kejriwal Resign?
The questions raised by Raj Kumar Anand prompt two inquiries – whether Anand will join the BJP and thus has begun accepting allegations of corruption after the High Court's verdict, despite not being proven guilty, and whether there are other leaders within the AAP who want Kejriwal to resign or believe the party is somehow embroiled in corruption. In this context, the pressing issue is whether Kejriwal will cease running the government from jail or whether he will resign?
Raj Kumar Anand has resigned from the AAP for the second time, having departed from the party in 2015 and rejoining in 2019. With Anand's resignation, if other leaders or legislators from AAP resign or question Kejriwal's authority to continue without resignation on moral grounds, it could create pressure to which Kejriwal might succumb, or the current government might continue operating as is. A burning question indeed.
