ExcisePolicy – Court Clears Kejriwal, Sparks Fresh Political Clash in Delhi

ExcisePolicy –  A Delhi court has dismissed charges against Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in the long-running excise policy case, a development that has reignited political tensions in the national capital. The ruling has prompted sharp reactions from the AAP, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Congress, each interpreting the decision through its own political lens.

Kejriwal Throws Open Challenge to BJP

Soon after the court’s decision, Kejriwal addressed supporters and criticized the BJP, accusing it of attempting to undermine his party through false allegations. He said the ruling had exposed what he described as a prolonged political campaign built around the phrase “liquor scam.”

According to Kejriwal, the case was used repeatedly over the past four years to target his government. Expressing gratitude to the judiciary, he termed the judgment historic and thanked the presiding judge for what he called a fair and impartial decision.

Taking his remarks a step further, the Delhi chief minister challenged the BJP to seek a fresh mandate in the capital. He declared that if the BJP secured more than 10 seats in such an election, he would step away from politics. The statement signals an aggressive stance by the AAP as it seeks to convert the legal relief into political momentum.

AAP Calls Verdict a Win for Constitutional Principles

Senior AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia described the ruling as a reaffirmation of constitutional values. He said that despite what he alleged were sustained efforts by political opponents and investigative agencies to portray the party leadership as corrupt, the court’s decision underscored their integrity.

Sisodia maintained that the judgment demonstrated the strength of democratic institutions and the importance of due process. The party has consistently argued that the excise policy case lacked substantive evidence and was driven by political motives.

BJP Terms Ruling a Technical Outcome

The BJP responded cautiously to the court’s decision. Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi characterized the development as a technical matter rather than a substantive vindication. He indicated that the party would release a detailed and structured response after reviewing the order.

Trivedi also alleged that potential evidence, including numerous mobile phones and SIM cards, had been destroyed during the course of the investigation. He suggested that the absence of such material could have influenced the outcome.

While acknowledging that the court cited a lack of evidence, BJP leaders argued that voters had already delivered their judgment in the most recent Delhi Assembly election. They maintained that electoral results remain the ultimate test of public trust and accountability.

Congress Raises Questions Over Timing

The Congress offered a different perspective, suggesting that the political battle between the BJP and the AAP may not be as adversarial as it appears. Party leader Pawan Khera used social media platform X to question the timing of developments, noting that several state elections are approaching.

Khera implied that cases against Congress leaders could see renewed attention in the run-up to polls in states such as Tamil Nadu, while proceedings involving other parties might slow down. He cited the re-emergence of former finance minister P. Chidambaram in political discussions as an example of how narratives shift ahead of elections.

The Congress comments reflect its broader strategy of positioning itself as distinct from both the BJP and the AAP, particularly as multiple states prepare for electoral contests.

Political Temperature Set to Rise

The dismissal of charges in the excise policy case has clearly intensified the political contest in Delhi. For the AAP, the ruling provides an opportunity to reinforce its narrative of being unfairly targeted. For the BJP, the focus remains on electoral performance and unresolved questions surrounding the policy. Meanwhile, the Congress is seeking to frame the episode within a wider national political context.

With election cycles approaching in various states, the implications of the court’s decision are likely to extend beyond the courtroom. As parties sharpen their messaging, Delhi once again finds itself at the center of a broader political debate.