The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had introduced the Delhi Excise Policy in November last year. The government had disturbed hundreds of licenses to open liquor shops across Delhi.
New Delhi: Amid allegations of corruption in the new Excise Policy of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday carried out raids at nearly 21 locations, including the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
The raids are on across seven states in the country. As per reports, the CBI is also conducting a raid at the house of former Delhi Excise Commissioner A Gopikrishna in Daman and Diu.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national Capital had introduced Delhi Excise Policy in November last year. The government had disturbed hundreds of licenses to open liquor shops across Delhi. Meanwhile, the move of the government had drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition leaders who demanded immediate roll back of the policy.
The CBI’s move to search the premises of Manish Sisodia and others irked AAP leaders who claimed the BJP and CBI are targeting the Deputy CM for political vendetta. The party leaders said Sisodia has transformed education in Delhi and this is the main reason why BJP is targeting him. Moments after a CBI team reached his residence, Manish Sisodia tweeted, “CBI has come. They are welcome. We are extremely honest. Making the future of millions of children. It is very unfortunate that those who do good work in our country are harassed like this. That is why our country has not yet become number-1. “
He further said, “We welcome CBI. Will give full cooperation in the investigation so that the truth can come out soon. Till now many cases have been filed against me but nothing has come out. Nothing will come out of it either. My work cannot be stopped for good education in the country. These people are troubled by the excellent work of Delhi’s education and health. That is why the Health Minister and Education Minister of Delhi have been arrested so that the good work of education health can be stopped. There are false allegations against both of us. The truth will come out in court.”
Replying to Sisodia’s tweet, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “The day when the Delhi education model was praised and Manish Sisodia’s picture was printed on the front page of America’s largest newspaper NYT, the Centre sent CBI to Manish’s house. We welcome CBI. Will cooperate fully. There have been many tests/raids in the past as well. Nothing came out. Still nothing will come out.”
In another tweet Kejriwal said, “The whole world is discussing the education and health model of Delhi. They want to stop it. That is why the raids and arrests on Delhi’s health and education ministers. Whoever tried to do good work in 75 years was stopped. That’s why India was left behind. Will not let Delhi’s good work stop.”
