'Not fearing ED': Anand on quitting Kejriwal's cabinet, AAP
A day after resigning from the Delhi Cabinet and the Aam Aadmi Party, former minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Thursday refuted claims that his decision was influenced by fear of the Enforcement Directorate. He added that the raids at his residence were only conducted to find the money trail of the alleged excise policy scam. To recall, on March 21, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped policy.
Why does this story matter?
On Wednesday, Anand announced his resignation from both his cabinet position and party role. "The party was born to fight corruption...today the party itself is mirred in corruption. I can't work in this government...I don't want my name to be associated with this corruption," the minister said while stepping down. This spells trouble for the party led by Kejriwal—who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in judicial remand in the excise policy "scam."
ED raided 12 premises linked to Anand last year
Speaking to news agency ANI, Anand said, "I did not leave the ministerial position and the AAP fearing the ED...I also know it is not easy to become a minister." To recall, the federal agency conducted raids on 12 premises associated with Anand last year, including his residence, as part of its probe into the excise policy scam. The raids were prompted by a chargesheet filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence for customs evasion totaling over ₹7 crore.
Watch: Anand's statement here
Anand criticizes AAP's treatment of Dalit leaders
While resigning on Wednesday, Anand also cited the AAP's alleged neglect of Dalit community as a a factor influencing his decision. "They (AAP) use pictures of Ambedkar in offices but when it comes to implementation and representation of Dalits, AAP steps back. None of the 13 AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs is Dalit. There is no respect for Dalit leaders in AAP," he said.
Anand pressured externally to resign: AAP
Several AAP leaders said Anand's resignation was a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's "attempt to crush" the party following Kejriwal's arrest. AAP leader Sanjay Singh—currently out on bail in the liquor policy case—alleged that Anand was pressured to resign. "Real motive of...Kejriwal's arrest is to break AAP...purpose of ED raids is...to break AAP...BJP was saying Anand is corrupt...Soon you may see BJP leaders welcoming him," he said. Anand, however, has said that he will not join any other party.
