“ED, CBI, IT work as instruments for BJP”: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, attributing it to the misuse of government agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department by the ruling party. He accused these institutions of acting on behalf of the government, thereby compromising their integrity and democratic values.

Yadav highlighted the pattern of the current administration amplifying the use of such agencies against political adversaries, suggesting a significant departure from democratic norms. “This government is exploiting these institutions to fabricate global records of false cases against political opponents, setting an unprecedented level of misuse,” Yadav commented.

The arrest of Kejriwal under the Delhi excise policy case, which has already seen two senior AAP leaders detained, sparked Yadav’s remarks. He questioned the credibility of these institutions under the influence of political power, emphasizing the shift towards using these bodies for political gains rather than public service.

Yadav further criticized the introduction of electoral bonds, viewing them as a mechanism for the ruling party to extort funds under the guise of donations, thereby stifling the financial resources of opposition parties. “It’s a form of extortion, not donation, benefiting those in power at the expense of the opposition,” he stated.

Amid these criticisms, Yadav reaffirmed his commitment to challenging the BJP, regardless of the dynamics within alliances. His remarks came in the wake of the Samajwadi Party ending its alliance with Apna Dal (Kameravadi), underscoring the focus on combating the ruling party’s tactics rather than internal coalition disagreements.

Yadav’s statements reflect a broader concern among opposition figures regarding the politicization of central investigative agencies and the potential threat this poses to India’s democratic fabric.