Kejriwal Aide’s Arrest Not Politically Motivated: Sheila Dikshit

Dikshit also took the opportunity to claim that the proceedings in the water tanker case are politically motivated.

Dikshit said that the CBI must have arrested Kumar, who served in various capacities during her tenure, based on some concrete information (Photo: ANI)

Senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday defended CBI arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Principal Secretary, Rajendra Kumar even as she questioned the “timing” of the “politically motivated” charges against her pertaining to the alleged multi-crore water tanker scam.

When asked about the allegations that the BJP-ruled Centre was taking political revenge for its electoral setback in Delhi by resorting to arrests, including that of Kumar, the former Delhi Chief Minister denied the assertion with a vehement “no.”

Dikshit said that the CBI must have arrested Kumar, who served in various capacities during her tenure, based on some information. However, she added that the proceedings in the water tanker case are politically motivated.

Interestingly, both the charges against Kumar and the alleged irregularities in procuring water tankers go back to the tenure of the Congress government in Delhi, led by Dikshit.

I don’t think CBI works based on timings per se. But we did not receive any complaint against him during our time so we could not take any action. But since you just spoke of timing, I think the Delhi Jal Board thing is politically motivated.

Sheila Dikshit 

Interacting with the press at the Indian Women’s Press Corps in Delhi, Dikshit, three-time Delhi Chief Minister, said the city’s development was sliding down under AAP and that there has been “no follow up” on the promises made by the party.

She also added that the Kejriwal government’s decision to appoint as many as 21 Parliamentary Secretaries was devoid of “propriety” and that it was not required at all.

Dikshit also held the AAP government responsible for its frequent run-ins with the Centre and its equation with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

Dikshit added that there was a need for “coordination” with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Urban Development Ministry, stressing that it was AAP’s responsibility to overcome hurdles.