New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids on Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia residence over Delhi govt’s new excise policy prompted BJP to mount scathing attack on the AAP leadership over financial bungling, thus resulting in losses to the exchequer. AAP leaders were quick to hit back, accusing the BJP-led Centre of misusing Central agencies for ‘silencing’ the voice of its political rivals.
The spokesperson of two parties traded barbs over CBI raids at Sisodia’s residence. Delhi Deputy CM though welcomed the CBI and refuted allegations against him, BJP was quick to step up offensive on it.
The CBI on Friday morning conducted raids at multiple locations across several states including Sisodia’s residence, in connection with Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The CBI has registered an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy. The FIR has names of 4 public servants including Sisodia.
Taking on AAP over CBI raids, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, “AAP were allowing liquor shops in every street. Now, they made a U-turn on the liquor policy after the investigation started. Daal mein kala hai, hisab kitab (checks and balances) has to be maintained on this,” he said.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, “Even before this, when your ministers went to jail on corruption charges, you did not sack them. The people and the country want answers.”
How AAP responded
AAP MP Sanjay Singh was quick to respond to allegations. He said that Centre was deliberately targeting Sisodia while no action was taken against fugitives Nirav Modi or Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh.
“This CBI raid is a biased. Manish Sisodia will come out clean, they have done it earlier also and nothing has come out of these raids,” he said.
About Liquor policy & charges against Sisodia
Days ago, Delhi Chief Secretary had submitted report to Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena, flagging irregularities & malpractices in the excise policy.
Sisodia allegedly made the changes to Excise policy without the approval of Delhi cabinet and allowed the waiver of Rs 144.6 crores to liquor companies for setting bases across the city but ended up drastically in terms of revenue.
The Delhi LG VK Saxena ordered probe into Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The new liquor policy was also brought back into operation from August 1.
