Editor's Pick | INDIA bloc to hold rally against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

Opposition’s Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA bloc) will hold a rally on March 31 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan – the site of many iconic demonstrations – against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. The rally’s aim is to “safeguard the country’s interests and democracy,” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Atishi Singh, Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely, and others announced at a press conference in the capital on Sunday. The Opposition has accused the central government of misusing central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against its leaders, which has led to an uneven contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED from his official residence on Thursday in connection with a money-laundering case linked to a scrapped excise policy. He has been remanded to ED custody till March 28. The objectives of the New Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, introduced in November 2021, were to maximize revenue, combat the sale of counterfeit alcohol, and enhance consumer experience. However, it was annulled in August 2022, due to opposition and allegations of irregularities. Watch a video about it here. “We will hold a ‘maha rally’ at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 against what is happening in the country. The top leadership of the INDIA bloc will participate in the event,” said Gopal Rai, AAP’s Delhi convenor. Opposition parties, including AAP, have questioned the ED’s action against Mr. Kejriwal, claiming that no money trail has been found in the excise policy case despite a two-year-long investigation. “However, a ₹60 crore money trail has been found. They arrested Sarath Reddy [director of Aurobindo Pharma] in the excise policy case, but he was released on the condition that he gives a statement against Kejriwal and donate ₹60 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds,” Mr. Rai said. The Hindu’s Editorials Questionable conduct: On Governors’ actions Unbreakable: On India-Bhutan ties The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who among the following will contest as the Congress candidate from the Varanasi seat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seat? Choudhary Lal Singh Kawasi Lakhma Ajay Rai Digvijaya Singh [logo] Editor's Pick 25 March 2024 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]Open in browser [Mail icon]More newsletters INDIA bloc to hold rally against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest Opposition’s Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA bloc) [will hold a rally on March 31]( at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan – the site of many iconic demonstrations – against [Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal]( arrest. The rally’s aim is to “safeguard the country’s interests and democracy,” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Atishi Singh, Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely, and others announced at a press conference in the capital on Sunday. The Opposition has accused the central government of misusing central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against its leaders, which has led to an uneven contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED from his official residence on Thursday in connection with a money-laundering case linked to a scrapped excise policy. He has been [remanded to ED custody till March 28.]( The objectives of the [New Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22]( introduced in November 2021, were to maximize revenue, combat the sale of counterfeit alcohol, and enhance consumer experience. However, it was annulled in August 2022, due to opposition and allegations of irregularities. [Watch a video about it here](. “We will hold a ‘maha rally’ at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 against what is happening in the country. The top leadership of the INDIA bloc will participate in the event,” said Gopal Rai, AAP’s Delhi convenor. Opposition parties, including AAP, have questioned the ED’s action against Mr. Kejriwal, claiming that no money trail has been found in the excise policy case despite a two-year-long investigation. “However, a ₹60 crore money trail has been found. They arrested Sarath Reddy [director of Aurobindo Pharma] in the excise policy case, but he was released on the condition that he gives a statement against Kejriwal and donate ₹60 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds,” Mr. Rai said. The Hindu’s Editorials [Questionable conduct: On Governors’ actions]( [Unbreakable: On India-Bhutan ties]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who among the following will contest as the Congress candidate from the Varanasi seat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seat? - Choudhary Lal Singh - Kawasi Lakhma - Ajay Rai - Digvijaya Singh [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[Misinformation during Indian elections: The saga from 2019 to 2024] Misinformation during Indian elections: The saga from 2019 to 2024]( [[What are the new rules for elephant transfers? | Explained] What are the new rules for elephant transfers? | Explained]( [[Digital financial frauds in India: a call for improved investigation strategies] Digital financial frauds in India: a call for improved investigation strategies]( [[Kamal Haasan on ‘Indian 2’, ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Thug Life’: ‘I’m a limelight moth’] Kamal Haasan on ‘Indian 2’, ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Thug Life’: ‘I’m a limelight moth’]( Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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