- As you are aware, the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed power at the Centre on the back of vociferous claims to usher in transparency, zero-tolerance towards corruption, and most importantly, an all-encompassing developmental plank for the country’s overall well-being. The BJP’s target was the erstwhile UPA government led by the Congress which was mired in a slew of scams that had rocked the country during its 10-year reign. The BJP leadership never let go of an opportunity to highlight how its government has shunned dynastic rule, and nepotism, upholding every countryman’s equality, and concerted crusade against corruption. The moot point is whether the BJP has achieved anything tangible here vis-à-vis showcasing impartiality while unleashing the law enforcement agencies against the opposition leaders.
PC: iPleaders
- This is where the BJP’s thrust towards eradicating corruption from society takes a hit since the law enforcement agencies appear to have zeroed in on only opposition party political leaders rather than showcase impartiality by going behind ruling dispensation’s leaders too. There are hardly any ruling party leaders under the radar. The corruption narrative is always going to receive considerable tangent simply because the citizens are aware of how the system functions here. We are so cynical when it comes to matters related to corruption that the bane has indeed become a part of our daily lives. We go about our business as nonchalantly as possible without allowing corruption to worry us too much. You are aware of how the ED, CBI, IT, and other law enforcement agencies are behind some opposition leaders.
- Let’s see how it has functioned so far. As reported extensively, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has become the second CM to be arrested after Jayalalitha while still in office. Yes, trouble has been brewing for AAP leaders ever since it introduced a new liquor policy in 2021. Withdrawing it in 2022 hasn’t protected AAP from CBI and ED investigations. Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair are among those already in jail. Kejriwal has been ignoring ED summons since November last year. By Thursday the ignored summons had climbed to nine. And Delhi HC had refused protection from coercive action by ED. So, this was very much an arrest foretold.
PC: iPleaders
- With courts refusing him relief yesterday as well, there is a rising concern within his party about whether he will be effectively held back from Lok Sabha campaigning. Mind you, by itself, this cannot be a factor in the orderly processes of law. This should proceed at a just pace, whether against someone who came into political prominence on an anti-corruption platform or an actual aam admi. The unsettling doubt here is whether investigating agencies are acting with political bias. While such misgivings are certainly not new in Indian polity, what looks new is the volume of action central agencies are pursuing against opposition parties. Indisputably, there’s graft in Indian politics, and the venal must be probed. But the exercise must be fair and impartial – that’s the point.
