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Kejriwal welcomes CBI probe into bungalow renovation, says nothing will come out of it

CBI move showed PM Modi's "nervousness", says Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal | PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday "welcomed" the CBI's preliminary inquiry into alleged irregularities in the construction of his bungalow while asserting that nothing will come out of it as there "is nothing wrong".

He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging the action showed his "nervousness" and asking whether he would resign if nothing comes out of the probe.

The Aam Aadmi Party national convener said that he may have faced the maximum number of inquiries in the world during his tenure as chief minister in the last eight years, and added he will not bow down.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) to look into alleged "irregularities and misconduct" by unidentified public servants of the Delhi government in connection with the construction of a new official residence for the chief minister, officials said on Wednesday.

Reacting to the CBI action, Kejriwal told reporters on the sidelines of an event, "This is not the first time. The prime minister is nervous. This shows his nervousness. The inquiry against me is nothing new. So far, inquiries have been conducted against me in more than 50 cases in the last eight years."

Slamming the BJP, Kejriwal said, "It was said that Kejriwal committed bus scam, liquor scam, road scam, water scam, electricity scam and scam in school buildings. They have lodged more than 33 cases against me.

"I may have faced the maximum number of inquiries in the world during my tenure as chief minister in the last eight years. Welcome this new inquiry. Nothing was found in any case. Nothing will be found in this also. What will you get when there is nothing wrong?" he said.

Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari at a press conference here said the CBI probe would disclose the facts related to the tendering process of Kejriwal's residence.

Kejriwal said, "What else can be expected from a fourth pass king? Just keep playing the game of inquiry-inquiry for 24 hours, or keep giving speeches. Don't do any work. These people want me to bow down before them. They want to break me. But I am not going to bow down before them, even if they conduct as many fake inquiries as they want or file as many cases as they want. I won't break down."

"I also challenge him - just as nothing was found in all the previous inquiries, similarly if nothing is found in this inquiry too, will he resign for conducting a false inquiry?" the chief minister said.

The CBI has registered the PE against unidentified public servants of the Delhi government, the officials said.

The preliminary enquiry is the first step to ascertain if the allegations have prima facie material to proceed with a regular FIR.

On Wednesday, the AAP had accused the BJP of using all its power to finish the party.

"They are trying to corner Arvind Kejriwal by deploying all the investigative agencies. They have lodged and investigated more than 50 cases against Kejriwal but nothing has come out of it. Nothing will come out of this (CBI inquiry) as well," the AAP had said in a statement.