Mr Shah also took a swipe at Mr Kejriwal for making guarantees despite the AAP contesting only 22 seats.
In a strong statement after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, Home Minister Amit Shah has said he does not see the Supreme Court’s decision as a routine judgment and stressed that many in the country believe that “special treatment” was given.
During an interview with news agency ANI on Wednesday, Mr Shah was asked about the AAP chief’s claims that he would not need to go back to jail if enough votes were cast in the party’s favour. The home minister replied in Hindi, “I believe this is clear contempt of the Supreme Court. He is trying to say that if someone emerges victorious, the Supreme Court does not send them to jail even if they are guilty. The judges that granted him bail have to think how their judgment is being used or misused.”
To a poser on his take on the judgment, Mr Shah said, “The Supreme Court has the right to interpret the law. I believe this was not a normal or routine judgment. Many in the country believe that special treatment has been given.”
Refuting Mr Kejriwal’s claims that cameras were installed in Tihar Jail and a feed went straight to the Prime Minister’s office as well, Mr Shah said the administration of the Tihar Jail is under the Delhi government, and accused him of lying. Taking a dig at the AAP chief, the home minister said Mr Kejriwal’s party is contesting only 22 Lok Sabha seats and he is still making guarantees to the entire country.
“Don’t take him too seriously. His party is fighting only 22 seats and he is guaranteeing that electricity bills will be waived for the entire country. You are fighting only 22 seats, how will you form the government,” Mr Shah sneered.
Speaking to NDTV on Monday, the BJP leader had also pointed out that the Delhi chief minister had not been given regular bail but only interim relief.
“His plea was that his arrest was wrong. The Supreme Court did not accept that. Then he sought bail. The court did not accept that either. Then he asked for permission to campaign. The Supreme Court set some conditions and granted him leave till June 1. He has to return to Tihar (jail) on June 2. How is this a ruling in his favour,” he had asked.
‘PM Modi Till 2029, And Beyond”
Mr Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor scam, was granted interim bail on May 10 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. Delhi will vote on May 25 and Mr Kejriwal has been asked to surrender on June 2, a day after polling ends in the last phase.
Asked about the AAP chief’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would retire next year, after he turned 75, and Mr Shah would become the PM, the home minister said, “I have said this many times. Modiji will remain the Prime Minister till 2029. And Mr Kejriwal, there is no good news for you, elections will be fought under the leadership of PM Modi even after 2029.”
