New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest has firmly brought together the INDIA bloc, which has been making headlines recently more for its differences than its unity. Minutes after the arrest, posts from key leaders across the Opposition flooded social media, criticising the Centre and the BJP in no uncertain terms. That the BJP is running scared ahead of the Lok Sabha election was the primary thought. Many declared that the people will respond to this with their votes.
Among the first off the block was Trinamool Congress leader Derek O Brien and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Equally strong comments came from Ms Gandhi Vadra.
"Targeting Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal in this manner due to elections is completely wrong and unconstitutional. Lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the Prime Minister nor his government," she wrote on X, minutes after the arrest.
"A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this," read a rough translation of a post by Congress's Rahul Gandhi.
"This arrest will give birth to a new people's revolution," posted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin called it a "witch-hunt' – a " relentless persecution of opposition leaders by BJP government" and warned the party to be ready to face the people's wrath.
"Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which BJP will stoop for power. 'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," veteran leader Sharad Pawar posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Mr Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case after he skipped summons for questioning for a ninth time and the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest. His team has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court and is pushing for a midnight hearing.
He is the country's first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested. His Aam Aadmi Party has said he would continue to discharge his duties from jail.