On April 15, 2023, the Bhartiya Janta Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia at a press conference in New Delhi stated that AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) head Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin of liquor scam.
Gaurav Bhatia also said that when the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) called for questioning Arvind Kejriwal, he trembled with fear.
In this press conference, the BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, We only have five questions in front of you. You were heading the meeting when the liquor scam was developed, why should you not be probed?
Vijay Nair is an important leader of your party.
It has also now appeared that you have conversed with Sameer Mahendru who is accused in this case. You talked to him on Facetime through Vijay Nair. Then you told him that Vijay Nair is my man. So, you tell us whether you did converse with Mahendru on a Facetime call?
The third question put forth by Gaurav Bhatia is: What relations do you have with the liquor traders? Fourthly, if your liquor policy was so good then why was it withdrawn?
The fifth and the last question asked by the BJP spokesperson stated: “In October 2021, your government issued a notice to Sameer Mahendru’s company saying that his company is blacklisted and he must give an answer within a week’s time frame. They did answer but what action has the government taken against them? It is proved that Arvind Kejriwal’s work is loot, corruption and extortion. He is a staunch cheater, Gaurav Bhatia said.
“AAP leader Manish Sisodia whom Kejriwal labels an honest figure, went to the court saying that agencies are being politically misused. Then 14 parties went to court saying that there can be no separate rules for politicians”, said Bhatia.
Gaurav Bhatia further added, “If Arvind Kejriwal has guts, he should answer at least one question out of these five questions. But he is a corrupt leader and will not answer any of them. He and AAP leaders will beat around the bush. Manish Sisodia, whom Arvind Kejriwal calls a staunch honest, went to the Supreme Court asking for relief but the court denied it. Then 14 parties went to court saying that agencies were being politically misused. The court also said that there could be no separate rule for politicians.”
Gaurav Bhatia also quoted the court’s observations about Manish Sisodia. He said, “Sessions court rejected Manish Sisodia’s bail on 31st March 2023. The court said in the order – Manish Sisodia called the then excise commissioner personally to grant L1 to Indo Spirit’s Sameer Mahendru. Why will a former liquor minister pressurize the excise commissioner to give a license to a particular trader? It is because Arvind Kejriwal has taken a bribe of Rs 100 crores. And we are not saying this on our own. The court has also mentioned that. It is the same Sameer Mahendru. You can connect the links. Arvind Kejriwal talked to him through Vijay Nair and told him that ‘he is my man, do as per he instructs. Consider it as my instruction only’.”
Gaurav Bhatia further said, “There is another big revelation in this order. A former deputy chief minister who is being called a staunch honest man is destroying his mobile phones which is important evidence. Why he is doing so? When he was interrogated, it was revealed that he had four mobile phones. When agencies asked for his four mobile phones, he provided only one and destroyed the other three. Why? If he was a staunch honest, he would have provided the three other mobile phones. Did he destroy them fearing that Arvind Kejriwal will also be caught? What kind of honesty is this?”
Concluding the address, the BJP spokesperson said- “Most Importantly, the court said -it is clear from the above discussion that the applicant had played the most important and vital role in the above criminal conspiracy and he had been deeply involved. If you have not done anything and you do not fear anything then go and answer the questions asked by the agencies. Why does one new spokesperson come every other day and beats around the bush? Applying your standards to yourself, you should take a polygraph test”.
“Take a lie detector test. But you will not do that, because you are afraid. If you answer any of the five questions in your press conference, we will continue this press conference and ask you more questions, Bhatia further said”
The CBI has summoned Arvind Kejriwal to question him in connection with Delhi Liquor Policy Scam case. According to ANI, the AAP supreme leader has been asked to appear before the CBI on April 16, 2023.
AAP leader and former deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia has already been arrested in this case. The AAP government has been accused of changing its excise policy to benefit certain business houses.
