The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that the Opposition-led INDIA bloc will hold a protest rally on July 30 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar to highlight concerns over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's deteriorating health while in Tihar Jail. Kejriwal is currently imprisoned in connection with the now-scrapped liquor policy case.
AAP has accused the BJP of conspiring to endanger Kejriwal's life, pointing to his medical report which indicates his blood sugar levels dropped 26 times between June 3 and July 7. The party's statement emphasized that the INDIA bloc's rally aims to bring attention to Kejriwal's declining health.
The ruling party in Delhi has also blamed the BJP-led Centre and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for endangering Kejriwal's life. During a press conference, Delhi Minister Atishi alleged that the BJP is undermining the interests of Delhi's residents, claiming that the party has been obstructing the city's work and finances, and had orchestrated the arrests of Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain.
Atishi further alleged that the BJP had Kejriwal arrested by the CBI after learning about his potential bail from the Supreme Court. She highlighted Kejriwal's 30-year battle with diabetes and noted that his weight had decreased by 8.5 kg while in custody. According to her, Kejriwal's sugar levels are continuously monitored and reported to the LG and the Centre, indicating a severe decline in his health.
She claimed that Kejriwal's sugar levels had dangerously dipped 34 times while in custody, accusing the BJP of wanting to permanently damage his health. She stated that the INDIA bloc parties will protest against Kejriwal's detention and the risk to his health.
Last week, Lt Governor VK Saxena wrote to the Delhi Chief Secretary, expressing concern over Kejriwal's health based on reports from the Tihar Jail superintendent, which suggested Kejriwal was consuming fewer calories than recommended. Saxena called for urgent measures and strict protocols to monitor Kejriwal's blood sugar levels.
Following this, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh warned that Kejriwal's medical condition was critical and that "anything can happen to him anytime."
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI in a corruption case related to the Delhi liquor policy scam and is currently held at Tihar Jail. Although he has been granted interim bail in the Enforcement Directorate case, he remains in custody following his arrest by the ED on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the liquor policy issue.
