CM Arvind Kejriwal Wins Trust Vote, Declares AAP "Biggest Challenger" to BJP

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday emerged victorious in a trust vote held in the Legislative Assembly, garnering the support of 54 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. The move comes amidst allegations of the BJP attempting to poach AAP legislators and topple the government.

Addressing the House, Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the AAP poses the biggest challenge to the BJP's national ambitions. "If the BJP's future is in danger, it's because of AAP alone," he declared. "They fear a threat to their power only from us. That is why they want to crush us in any way they can."

Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of orchestrating "Operation Lotus," an alleged attempt to lure AAP MLAs with money and promises. He claimed that the BJP approached seven AAP legislators, offering them inducements and promising a meeting with Amit Shah in exchange for defecting.

"They ask for evidence," Arvind Kejriwal said, referring to the BJP's demand for proof of poaching attempts. "What kind of evidence do we present? They approach MLAs through friends, relatives, etc. They say, 'Join us; we'll schedule your meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.' Any person doesn't carry tape recorders with themselves all the time, so what kind of proof should we give?"

Despite the allegations, Arvind Kejriwal maintained his government's stability. "Arresting me is a dream of BJP people, but our government will not fall," he declared. "Our wealth is not in bank accounts but in people's hearts. Kejriwal's thoughts are alive in crores of people; how will you arrest that?"

2029 Vision and BJP-Mukt Bharat

Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the AAP will make 'BJP-mukt Bharat' and "free" the country from the saffron party's hold in 2029 even if they win the Lok Sabha polls this year.

The AAP convener also alleged that the BJP was spreading a "rumour" that the Delhi Assembly will be dissolved after the Lok Sabha polls and the city will be governed as a Union Territory.

"This country is not anyone's property. They cannot dissolve the Assembly just like that. I challenge the BJP to contest elections on this issue. The BJP should clarify whether they will dissolve the Assembly after Lok Sabha polls," he said, asking the AAP MLAs to tell people that if they voted for the BJP, it would snatch their right to vote.

Opposition's Absence:

Notably, only one BJP MLA was present during the trust vote, as the majority of the opposition legislators were suspended for disrupting the Lieutenant Governor's address. This absence raised questions about the legitimacy of the vote and the BJP's commitment to democratic processes.

Kejriwal weaponizing budget to escape liquor scam probe'

Earlier this week, the ongoing Budget session of the Delhi Assembly was extended till the first week of March, with Finance Minister Atishi citing a delay in budget finalisation due to certain reasons. The budget proposal was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its approval on Thursday.

The BJP has alleged that Kejriwal has tried to use the budget "as his weapon to escape the investigation of the liquor scam". Kejriwal has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 19.

Earlier in the day, a Delhi court granted an exemption to Kejriwal from personal appearance for the day in connection with a complaint filed by the ED against him over non-compliance with its summonses in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

Kejriwal told the court that he was unable to appear before it due to the ongoing Budget session of the Delhi Assembly.

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta told the court that the Delhi chief minister will appear before it in person on the next date of hearing. The court has adjourned the matter to March 16.