AAP Leaders Celebrate Court Verdict Acquitting Kejriwal and Sisodia
Senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday enthusiastically welcomed the court's decision to acquit former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leader Manish Sisodia in the high-profile excise policy case. The ruling has been described by party members as a monumental "victory of truth" and a powerful, decisive rebuttal to what they characterized as a politically motivated campaign orchestrated against the party.
Political Reactions and Assertions of Judicial Vindication
The court's acquittal triggered immediate and sharp political reactions across the spectrum. AAP leaders were quick to assert that the allegations, which had been leveled against their top brass, had conclusively failed to withstand rigorous judicial scrutiny. This verdict, they argued, underscores the resilience of legal processes against baseless accusations.
Manish Sisodia, who endured a significant period of incarceration in connection with this case, made a poignant statement following his acquittal. "Truth alone triumphs," he declared. "Today, once again, I feel an immense pride in Baba Saheb Ambedkar Ji's visionary thinking and the enduring Constitution he so meticulously crafted. Despite all the concerted attempts by Modi Ji's entire party apparatus and all their agencies to prove us dishonest, today it has been irrefutably proven that Arvind Kejriwal and I, Manish Sisodia, are staunchly and unwaveringly honest."
Demands for Apology and Allegations of Conspiracy
The political fallout intensified as AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh launched a direct attack, demanding a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on social media platform X, Singh stated, "The court has acquitted our leaders. This verdict proves that a dangerous conspirator is ruling over the country's power structures. Who hatched this elaborate conspiracy to defame the country's most popular honest Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the most capable honest Education Minister Manish Sisodia, and the finest honest party, the AAP? Our leaders were subjected to torture in jail. Narendra Modi must apologize to the entire nation for this travesty."
Echoing this sentiment, the official AAP handle also posted on X, stating, "Today, the court has acquitted Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the fabricated liquor scam, forever sealing the lock on BJP's lies. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the crores of fellow countrymen who stood resolutely with us in this arduous fight. We have fought with complete honesty for the nation and will continue to do so with unwavering commitment."
Broader Implications and Party's Future Stance
This legal victory is seen by AAP as not just a personal exoneration for its leaders but as a significant political moment that reinforces their narrative of being targeted by rival political forces. The party frames the acquittal as a validation of their integrity and a setback for what they describe as malicious political engineering.
The case, which revolved around allegations related to Delhi's excise policy, had kept two of AAP's most prominent figures in legal limbo for an extended period. With this chapter now seemingly closed by the court, the party is expected to leverage the verdict to bolster its public image and political campaigns, positioning itself as a victim of unjust persecution that has been vindicated by the judiciary.
The reactions highlight the deep political divisions and the intense legal battles that have become a hallmark of Indian politics, where court verdicts are often immediately weaponized in the ongoing war of narratives between competing parties.
