The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution supporting Palestine’s UN membership bid, urging the Security Council to reconsider its decision. However, the United States continues to oppose the move, using its veto power to block resolutions critical of Israel. India has backed the resolution, but a country cannot become a UN member without the Security Council’s approval. In another development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail in a money laundering case. He has been barred from visiting the Chief Minister’s office or signing any official files. Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha elections recorded over 64% voter turnout, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah among those who cast their votes. The United Kingdom has exited recession with 0.6% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024, while Vladimir Putin has begun his fifth term as President of Russia.
Results for: Aam Aadmi Party
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar jail on Friday after spending 50 days behind bars. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The Supreme Court granted him interim bail in a money-laundering case related to the now-repealed Delhi excise policy.
Delhi Police detained approximately 12 student wing workers from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for raising slogans during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The protestors wore t-shirts with the ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ tagline, part of AAP’s campaign against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on money laundering charges. AAP’s Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) condemned Kejriwal’s arrest as illegal and organized the protest during the match. They chanted slogans against the BJP government, and the incident was captured on video and shared on AAP’s official x account (formerly Twitter). Delhi Police stated that the protestors were creating a public nuisance and would be released after completing legal formalities. The ongoing Lok Sabha elections will see voting for seven constituencies in Delhi on May 25th.
The Punjab Police have registered an FIR against a YouTube channel for allegedly equating Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha with fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya. The channel, ‘Capital TV,’ is accused of disseminating misleading content concerning the Delhi liquor scam and making claims that AAP sold tickets for elections. The complaint also alleges that the channel referred to Chadha as a “Khalistani supporter” following his meeting with UK MP Preet Gill. The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, forgery, and making statements likely to cause public mischief. Additionally, the FIR includes a section of the Information Technology Act concerning computer-related offences.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tendered an apology for the allegedly casteist remarks made by Aam Aadmi Party candidate Laljit Singh Bhullar who is contesting from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. Bhullar had sparked controversy with certain comments against Congress leader Harminder Singh Gill at an election rally. Despite issuing a video apology, Bhullar had failed to apologize to Gill. Mann, while addressing a campaign rally for Bhullar, emphasized that the AAP does not support such behavior and does not engage in caste-based or religious politics. He revealed that he had immediately instructed Bhullar to apologize unconditionally and that Bhullar had sought forgiveness at the Harmandir Sahib. Mann expressed his respect for all communities and made it clear that such conduct would not be tolerated in the future.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has vehemently opposed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s objections to his arrest in the excise policy case, stating that he failed to cooperate with the agency despite repeated summons. The ED maintains that the arrest was justified based on ample evidence of Kejriwal’s involvement in the alleged scam. However, Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fiercely condemned the ED’s actions, accusing it of being a political tool of the ruling BJP. AAP asserts that the ED lacks any substantial evidence against Kejriwal and is solely pursuing the arrest to hinder his participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha election campaign.
A Delhi court has granted time to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to file a rejoinder to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) replies on his petitions seeking revision against an order summoning him in the excise policy case. Special Judge Rakesh Syal on Wednesday granted two weeks to Kejriwal to file his response, after his lawyers sought time, saying they could not get instructions from him as he is in judicial custody following his arrest by the ED on March 21.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj met with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail on Wednesday, assuring that Kejriwal remains strong and resolute despite his arrest. Bharadwaj conveyed Kejriwal’s request for the public not to worry about him and emphasized his continued commitment to serving the people of Delhi. The meeting took place in the ‘mulakat jangla’ of the jail, a mesh barrier separating visitors from inmates. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with a money laundering case but has not resigned from his position. The Aam Aadmi Party maintains that he will continue to run the government from jail.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are facing an uphill battle in the upcoming Chandigarh Lok Sabha elections, having lost to the BJP in the past two consecutive polls. This time, the alliance has fielded two-time MP Manish Tewari as its candidate. However, the BJP’s Sanjay Tandon poses a strong challenge, and the Congress-AAP alliance is facing internal divisions and criticism over Kher’s absence and lack of connect. Despite making gains in the 2021 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls, the AAP has failed to capitalize on its momentum and secure a foothold in the Lok Sabha elections.
In a significant political development, Robin Sampla, a close confidant and nephew of former National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman Vijay Sampla, has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The move deals a blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been poaching leaders from the Congress and AAP in Punjab. Robin Sampla’s defection follows Vijay Sampla’s denial of a BJP Lok Sabha election ticket for Punjab’s Hoshiarpur seat. Vijay Sampla is a former Union minister of state for social justice and was reportedly upset with the BJP. He had been considering joining the Shiromani Akali Dal.