Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reiterated that the AAP will remain in the INDIA bloc despite all pressure exerted by the BJP after skipping the Enforcement Directorate summons for the seventh time in a case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
In response to the repeated summons, AAP has firmly stated that the matter is sub judice, with a scheduled hearing in court on March 16. They criticized the Enforcement Directorate's persistence in issuing daily summons, urging the agency to await the court's decision rather than exerting continuous pressure.
Despite mounting pressure from the Modi government, AAP has reaffirmed its commitment to the INDIA Alliance, asserting that it will not withdraw from the coalition.
This latest development comes after the Enforcement Directorate issued its sixth summons to Chief Minister Kejriwal on February 14, setting a deadline for his appearance on February 19, which he failed to comply with. Kejriwal has yet to participate in any interrogation sessions.
In response to the Enforcement Directorate's legal action for Kejriwal's non-compliance, he engaged in the court proceedings via video conferencing on Saturday. He cited the ongoing confidence motion in the Delhi Assembly and the Budget session as reasons for his inability to appear physically.
Previously, AAP had criticized the investigative agency, denouncing the summons as "illegal" and an attempt to intimidate Kejriwal. Delhi minister Atishi echoed these sentiments, alleging that the summons were a mere tactic to threaten Kejriwal and AAP, rather than a legitimate investigative process.