"Helpful In Context Of Polls": Mamata Banerjee On Arvind Kejriwal's Bail

The Opposition INDIA bloc has welcomed the Supreme Court decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case on Friday. The court has also allowed the Aam Aadmi Party chief to participate in political activities, meaning he could campaign for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said the decision would prove to be helpful during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. "I am very happy to see that Shri Arvind Kejriwal has got interim bail. It will be very helpful in the context of the current elections," she said in a post on X.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the court order brought "justice and relief" to the Delhi chief minister. "Arvind Kejriwal ji getting justice and relief against dictatorial regime in the country is a huge sign of winds of change. He has been speaking the truth and that is what the bjp dislikes. More power to him and the INDIA alliance for Bharat. We will protect our Constitution and democracy!" he wrote in a post on X.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party welcomes the Supreme Court decision to give relief to Mr Kejriwal and expects a similar relief for Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

"The bail of Delhi's popular Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal ji is another victory of truth. The strength and unity of the 'India Alliance' is going to liberate the people of India from the painful rule of BJP. Unite and pledge to vote!" Akhilesh Yadav posted on X.

The release, days before the election for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats - all held by the BJP - on May 25, has come as a huge shot in the arm for the AAP.

Addressing a joint press conference in Delhi along with AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai and Atishi on Friday, party national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, "We are extremely grateful to the Supreme Court for upholding the democracy in the country today. The interim bail has been granted in very extraordinary circumstances."

"Let us not draw parallels with other cases. 21 days will not make any difference," said the Supreme Court granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal.

The bench said no doubt, serious accusations have been made, but Mr Kejriwal has not been convicted yet, does not have any criminal antecedents and is "not a threat to the society".

"I welcome the interim bail order granted to the chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal by the SC. India remains steadfast in the pursuit of democracy," Sharad Pawar wrote on X.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi called it a "big win" for Mr Kejriwal.

Mr Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Drectorate on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy 2021-22.