'Like Vladimir Putin...': Arvind Kejriwal's 'dictatorship' jibe amid Swati Maliwal row

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21. He is out on interim bail.

Published on: May 17, 2024, 14:00:07 IST

By HT News Desk

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday claimed that India has been suffering from “dictatorship”. In an oblique remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he compared the situation in the country with Vladimir Putin's Russia's.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal (R) and Punjab's chief minister Bhagwant Mann (L) . (AFP file photo)

Arvind Kejriwal made the remarks while campaigning in Punjab. He said the alleged dictatorship in the country is not acceptable to him. He also said the Central government has been putting opposition leaders in jail.

"The dictatorship that is going on in our country is not acceptable. India has never seen such a period in the past 75 years, putting opposition leaders in jail," said Arvind Kejriwal.

He claimed Putin put opponents in jail or killed them and then conducted the elections.

"Like in Russia, (Vladimir) Putin had either sent all rival leaders in jail or got them killed and then conducted the elections and got 87 per cent votes. When there is no opposition, you will be the only one who will get votes," he said, per PTI.

Arvind Kejriwal pointed out that AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been in jail since February last year. He claimed the government has been harassing the Congress, TMC and MK Stalin's DMK.

Also read: Swati Maliwal's FIR: ‘Bibhav Kumar slapped, kicked, hit me on stomach’

"Put everyone in jail. Then only one party and one leader will remain but democracy will not survive. We do not have to let this happen," said Kejriwal.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court gave him a 21-day respite from jail through interim bail.

The apex court has asked Arvind Kejriwal to surrender on June 2, a day after the Lok Sabha elections ends.

The remark comes a day after the Delhi police registered an FIR against Arvind Kejriwal's secretary Bibhav Kumar for assaulting Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.

Swati Maliwal has accused Kumar of slapping and punching her in Arvind Kejriwal's drawing room. She claimed Kejriwal was inside the house when the incident took place.

On Thursday, during a joint INDIA bloc press conference, Kejriwal appeared to be avoiding the journalist's question on Swati Maliwal.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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