Political vendetta behind Kejriwal’s arrest, says VCK chief
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Friday condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case.
He said it will only galvanise the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
In an interaction with journalists of The Hindu in Chennai, Mr. Thirumavalavan charged that Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest was “political vendetta” by the BJP.
“Mr. Arvind Kejriwal was [one of those] instrumental in forming the Oppositionled INDIA bloc. The BJP government at the Centre exerted pressure on him to not join the alliance. But he didn’t bother about it.”
‘No links to scam’
According to him, Mr. Kejriwal has no links to the alleged liquor policy scam. “The BJP is even targeting parties like Bharat Rashtra Samithi [BRS], which is not part of the INDIA bloc. The arrest of Mr. Kejriwal will not create any negative impact on our alliance, rather it will have a positive impact.”
He said there is strong antiincumbency against the BJP government at the
Centre rule.
“Farmers, labourers, small industries, and the middle class have been highly affected by the BJP’s rule. Vulnerable and marginalised sections of socieafter its ty such as Dalits, tribes, and women are unhappy and feeling insecure under Mr. Modi’s rule. Atrocities such as honour killings and castebased and religious violence against them have increased,” the VCK leader said. “Sanathanisation” is happening in the sociocultural platform and “corporatisation” is happening in the economicpolitical platform. This remains the achievement of 10 years of Mr. Modi’s rule.
The price of essential commodities is skyrocketing and affects majority of the people.
However, the Union government continues to maintain its corporate nexus and facilitates their growth, he charged.
Milestone yatras
Mr. Thirumavalavan noted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has travelled across the country — from south to north and east to west — through his Bharat
Jodo and Nyay yatras.
“It is a milestone in Indian politics. He met lakhs of people, particularly youngsters, throughout his yatra. I believe it will create a huge impact and a silent revolution in the election,” he added.
On senior BJP leaders claiming that their party is targeting to win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha election, he felt they may “try to play” with the Electronic Voting Machines.
He also said it is not only the duty of Dalit organisations to spread the ideology of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Other political parties, leaders and NGOs also should come forward to spread his teachings, which are meant for all.
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