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The ongoing political tension between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi has taken a new turn with the L-G office raising concerns over the health of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the L-G office claimed that Kejriwal might be intentionally avoiding the prescribed diet and medicines for his diabetes, despite being provided with sufficient home-cooked food. This assertion comes after the AAP government has repeatedly alleged that the BJP-led Centre is manipulating legal proceedings against Kejriwal, keeping him in jail on false charges linked to the now-scrapped 2021-22 Delhi excise policy.
The L-G office has pointed to reports from the Tihar Jail Superintendent, highlighting instances of Kejriwal's “wilful low-calorie intake”. They have emphasized that this could have serious health implications, especially considering Kejriwal’s history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further, the L-G office has requested prison authorities to advise Kejriwal to adhere to his prescribed diet and medicines, citing potential medical and legal ramifications of his actions. The letter also highlights inconsistencies between blood glucose test results and readings from the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), suggesting that Kejriwal is not adhering to his prescribed treatment regimen.
Reacting to the L-G's letter, the AAP has vehemently condemned these accusations, calling them “unfortunate” and “ill-informed.” Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha member, expressed his disapproval on X, questioning the basis of the L-G's claims. Atishi, a senior AAP leader and Delhi Finance Minister, countered the allegations, emphasizing the seriousness of Kejriwal's condition and accusing the BJP of using his health as a political weapon. She stressed that the L-G's comments are inappropriate and that they are part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP to politically exploit the situation. This exchange has further escalated the existing political conflict, with both parties accusing each other of using the CM's health for their own agendas.
The situation underscores the complexities of the political landscape in Delhi. The AAP's claims of political persecution against Kejriwal are fueled by his recent arrest and incarceration on charges related to the Delhi excise policy. The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that the charges against Kejriwal are legitimate and not politically motivated. As the debate intensifies, the focus shifts to the ethical implications of using a political figure's health as a point of contention. The L-G's letter and the AAP's response have raised critical questions about the accountability of political leaders and the boundaries of political discourse in the context of health and incarceration.
Source: Kejriwal resorting to low-calorie intake: L-G office; ‘unfortunate remark,’ says AAP