||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 10, 2024||

The Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has injected renewed vigor into the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Lok Sabha election campaign. This development comes amidst a charged electoral landscape, just days before the culmination of the seven-phased polling.

In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently incarcerated in Tihar jail since March on charges related to a money laundering case, has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court for a period of 21 days.

This crucial ruling allows Kejriwal to participate actively in the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign, which has entered its final phase with polling slated to conclude on 1st June .

The apex court, while granting bail, also critiqued the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the delay in arresting Kejriwal, citing that an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was filed back in August 2022, yet the arrest was effected only in March 2024. Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized that such delays undermine the judicial process and that timing should not impact justice.

Kejriwal’s plea for bail was primarily to enable his participation in election campaigning, a pivotal moment for the AAP in their bid to secure significant seats in the Lok Sabha.

Reacting to the court’s decision, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed relief, hailing the bail as a “miracle” that would bolster their electoral prospects. Kejriwal’s ability to campaign actively, though temporary until his surrender on June 2, is deemed crucial given the impending polling conclusion on June 1 and vote counting on June 4.

Political allies, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Pawan Khera, welcomed the court’s intervention, viewing it as a validation of justice and democracy. Akhilesh termed it “another victory of truth,” echoing sentiments of support resonating across party lines.

The AAP, in a press conference post-ruling, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a “win for democracy.” Atishi and Gopal Rai, prominent AAP leaders, emphasized the significance of this ruling in upholding constitutional values and restoring faith in democratic principles.

As the countdown to Election Day progresses, Kejriwal’s bail is anticipated to have a tangible impact on AAP’s campaign strategy. The party is expected to capitalize on this opportunity to galvanize support and articulate their vision for Delhi and national governance. Kejriwal’s impending surrender underscores the temporal nature of this relief, emphasizing the high stakes of the ongoing electoral battle.

In conclusion, Kejriwal’s interim bail marks a pivotal moment in the electoral narrative, infusing the AAP campaign with renewed energy and purpose as they navigate the final stretch towards the election outcome. The coming days will witness heightened political activity as parties vie for voter attention and the fate of the nation unfolds post the culmination of polling.

Earlier opposing his bail, The ED, in its affidavit in Supreme Court, repeated an argument it had made during the last Supreme Court hearing and said that campaigning is part of a politician’s job and, following the rule of equality, small farmers or small traders can also seek interim bail to carry out the demands of their work.

It also stressed that Arvind Kejriwal is not even contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The central agency said that granting bail to the AAP chief would set a precedent that would permit “all unscrupulous politicians” to commit crimes and then evade investigation citing campaigning for one election or the other.