Delhi’s “Liquor-Gate” Scandal Heats Up Ahead of Elections
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The political landscape in Delhi is ablaze as the upcoming February elections draw closer.At the heart of the firestorm is the ongoing “liquor-gate” scandal, a complex web of allegations involving corruption and money laundering surrounding the city’s 2021 excise policy. The recent decision by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, to allow the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has dramatically escalated tensions.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal, built its platform on a promise to eradicate corruption, with Kejriwal portraying himself as a champion of clean governance. However, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian national congress have relentlessly challenged this image, using the excise policy controversy as a key weapon in their arsenal.
Kejriwal’s former deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, responded to the L-G’s decision with skepticism, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “If the L-G has given the go-ahead to ED to prosecute, then where is the copy of this? It’s clear this is a rumour.” This sentiment is echoed by other AAP leaders,who are demanding concrete evidence of the L-G’s approval.
The AAP is expected to leverage this development to portray the BJP as resorting to heavy-handed tactics, using investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents. They will likely attempt to garner public sympathy and use the controversy to rally support ahead of the elections.
Conversely, the BJP views the L-G’s decision as irrefutable proof of the AAP’s alleged corruption, reaching the highest levels of the party. They contend that the “liquor-gate” case demonstrates kejriwal’s role as the “kingpin” and that he cannot evade accountability. The BJP highlights alleged evidence of lavish hotel stays and financial transactions linked to Kejriwal’s office, warning that his return to power would lead to rampant corruption.
“It is clear that Kejriwal is the kingpin of the Delhi excise policy scam and as inquiry progresses, he will be punished,”
said BJP Delhi president virendra Sachdeva.
For the BJP, winning the Delhi elections is paramount.Having been out of power for twelve years,reclaiming Delhi is crucial to their national strategy,especially given the AAP’s position as a key member of the opposition INDIA alliance. A loss for the AAP in Delhi could potentially destabilize their hold on other states like Punjab.
The Congress party faces a challenging path. Despite past disagreements, they’ve decided to contest the elections independently. Sandeep Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, is running against Kejriwal. Dikshit stated to News18: “This was expected and it is something that should have been done earlier. There was enough evidence to prosecute him.” Ironically, the Congress initially brought the “liquor-gate” allegations to light when the two parties were not aligned.
The upcoming Delhi elections promise a fierce battle, with both the BJP and AAP likely to center their campaigns on the issue of corruption.
Understanding the excise Policy Scandal
The core of the excise policy scandal revolves around allegations of widespread corruption and money laundering in the creation and implementation of the Delhi government’s new liquor sales policy, which took effect in November 2021. The policy shifted control of the liquor trade from the government to private players, leading to accusations of favoritism and illicit financial dealings.
Delhi Chief Minister Accused in Major excise Scandal
Arvind Kejriwal, the 55-year-old Chief Minister of Delhi, and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are at the center of a major corruption scandal involving the city’s 2021-22 excise policy, a policy that was ultimately revoked.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities within the policy. Following this suggestion, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched its own investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
A 209-page supplementary charge sheet filed in the case names Kejriwal and the AAP as accused. The charge sheet alleges a significant role for the Chief Minister, stating, “arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi is the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi excise scam in collusion with ministers of Delhi govt, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and other persons.”
The ED’s investigation further claims that Kejriwal directly benefited from the alleged illicit proceeds. The agency alleges, “Arvind Kejriwal has directly used part of these proceeds of crime personally by making Chanpreet Singh (another accused in the case) make payment for Sh Arvind Kejriwal’s stay and event at the Grand Hyatt, Goa.” The charge sheet also accuses Kejriwal of commingling these funds with those of the delhi government.
The investigation centers around allegations that a group of politicians and liquor businessmen, referred to as the “South Group,” paid approximately $13 million (Rs 100 crore) in bribes to secure favorable treatment under the excise policy. A significant portion of these alleged bribes—roughly $5.8 million (Rs 45 crore)—was allegedly funneled into the AAP’s campaign coffers during the 2022 Goa assembly elections.
The implications of these allegations are far-reaching, potentially impacting the upcoming Delhi elections and raising serious questions about governance and transparency. The unfolding legal proceedings will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the coming months.
Delhi Excise Scandal Deepens: Election Stakes Rise
As Delhi gears up for crucial elections, the “liquor-gate” scandal, involving allegations of corruption and money laundering in the city’s 2021 excise policy, continues to escalate. The recent decision by the Lieutenant Governor to allow the enforcement directorate (ED) to prosecute former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has thrown the race into sharper focus.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor, Maria Hernandez, sat down with Dr.Anjali Sharma, a political analyst specializing in Delhi politics, to unpack the complexities of the case and its potential impact on the upcoming elections.
The Core of the Scandal
Maria Hernandez (MH): Dr. Sharma, can you shed some light on the core allegations in the “liquor-gate” scandal?
Dr. Anjali Sharma (AS): At its heart, the scandal revolves around claims that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, under Chief Minister Kejriwal, manipulated the 2021 excise policy to favor certain liquor businesses in exchange for kickbacks. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that a consortium of liquor businessmen, dubbed the “South Group,” paid hefty bribes, with a important portion funneled into the AAP’s campaign coffers.
Kejriwal’s Alleged Role
MH: The ED’s charge sheet directly names Kejriwal as a key conspirator. How damaging are these allegations for him?
AS: The allegations against Kejriwal are extremely serious.The charge sheet paints a picture of him as the mastermind behind the scheme, directly benefiting from the alleged illicit profits. This directly contradicts his public image as a crusader against corruption. If these allegations are proven true,it could be politically devastating.
AAP’s Response & Political Fallout
MH: how has the AAP responded to these allegations, and what are the potential political repercussions for the party?
AS: The AAP has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and a conspiracy to tarnish their image. They claim there’s a lack of concrete evidence and are accusing the BJP of weaponizing investigative agencies against them.
The fallout, however, is significant. The “liquor-gate” scandal has become a major campaign issue for both the BJP and the Congress, who are using it to attack the AAP’s credibility.
BJP’s Strategy
MH: The BJP clearly sees this issue as their winning card. What is their strategy heading into the elections?
AS:
The BJP is capitalizing on public resentment towards corruption and highlighting the scandal as evidence of the AAP’s failure to deliver on its promises. They are presenting themselves as the party of law and order, committed to cleaning up Delhi’s governance.
the Congress Factor
MH: Where does the Congress party stand, and what role do they intend to play in this election?
AS: The Congress is trying to carve a space for themselves by focusing on their own platform while also benefiting from the AAP’s troubles. they will likely try to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with both the AAP and the BJP. However, their past alliance with the AAP makes it difficult for them to fully exploit the scandal.
Election Outlook
MH: How do you see the “liquor-gate” scandal shaping the outcome of the Delhi elections?
AS: It’s undoubtedly a major factor.It has the potential to swing undecided voters and could substantially impact the AAP’s chances of retaining power. The BJP, with its aggressive campaign against the AAP, looks to benefit most from the scandal. However, the Congress could emerge as a wildcard if voters express a desire for a change from both major parties.
MH: Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for sharing your insights with us. These upcoming elections will certainly be closely watched.
