NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal visited Rajghat in the national capital on Tuesday, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. He was joined by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Leader of Opposition Atishi, and other party leaders, coinciding with his announcement to boycott proceedings related to the Delhi Excise Policy case.
Kejriwal’s decision follows his declaration on Monday that he would not attend the hearings in person or be represented by a lawyer in the Delhi High Court, citing concerns of bias and conflict of interest. Speaking to journalists, he expressed his respect for the judiciary, recalling previous relief he had received from the courts. “It is a matter related to the court. We respect the courts and the legal system of our country because the judiciary acquitted us and also granted us bail. I am having to do this ‘satyagrah’ due to some circumstances which have emerged now. I have expressed these circumstances in my letter to the judge,” Kejriwal stated, according to news agency PTI.
He further pointed to alleged ideological bias and conflict of interest, claiming the judge had affiliations with organizations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and highlighting the involvement of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the case.
Earlier, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also communicated to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma that he would not have legal representation in the matter. “From my side as well, no lawyer will appear. The future of your children is in the hands of Tushar Mehta ji. In such a situation, I do not expect justice from you. I have no option left except Satyagraha,” Sisodia indicated in his letter, as reported by party sources.
