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A heated debate erupted in Delhi's political landscape as the office of Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) clashed over the health of jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The LG's office attributed Kejriwal's weight loss to his “wilful” low calorie intake while in jail, emphasizing that sufficient home-cooked food was provided. Conversely, the AAP vehemently challenged this assertion, highlighting the potential risks of low blood sugar for a Type-2 diabetic like Kejriwal and suggesting a deliberate attempt to compromise his health.
The controversy stemmed from a July 19 letter written by the LG to the chief secretary, referencing a report from the prison superintendent detailing instances of Kejriwal's allegedly limited food consumption between June 6th and July 13th. The LG's office expressed concern over the discrepancies between glucometer readings and continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) readings, suggesting potential negligence in managing Kejriwal's insulin dosage. The letter directed prison authorities to ensure Kejriwal strictly adhered to his prescribed medication and diet.
The AAP, however, painted a drastically different picture. Party MP Sanjay Singh, in a social media post, questioned the LG's understanding of diabetes and its complications, emphasizing the dangers of low blood sugar levels. Delhi Minister Atishi echoed similar concerns, highlighting the potential for coma and brain damage in such situations. She pointed a finger at the BJP, accusing them of deliberately orchestrating Kejriwal's arrest and exploiting his health conditions for political gain.
The BJP, however, refuted these claims, accusing Kejriwal of deliberately reducing his food intake to manipulate the court and gain sympathy. BJP's Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva argued that Kejriwal, who had actively campaigned for the party during his bail period, suddenly feigned illness just before returning to jail. He pointed to inconsistencies in Kejriwal's insulin intake as evidence of a calculated strategy to portray himself as vulnerable.
This clash over Kejriwal's health condition underscores the deep political divide in Delhi, with each party accusing the other of playing political games with a serious health issue. Kejriwal's imprisonment stems from allegations of corruption related to the Delhi excise policy, a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). While granted bail by a trial court on June 20, the high court issued a stay on this release, leaving Kejriwal in custody. The ongoing legal battles and the accusations of political maneuvering are likely to continue as the case unfolds.
Source: LG’s office blames ‘wilful’ low food intake for Kejriwal’s weight loss, AAP hits back