Aam Aadmi Party national convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal dropped a bombshell today, by claiming that Chief Minister Atishi will be arrested in the coming days.
Apparently referring to the BJP-led Union government, Kejriwal said they were miffed by the AAP's recently announced flagship schemes Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana in Delhi, and so, are planning to get Atishi arrested by framing her in fake cases.
Kejriwal took to X to make the shocking revelation. He also said that raids will be conducted against senior AAP leaders.
The former Delhi CM reiterated the charges in a press conference later in the day. The BJP is trying to distract AAP from campaigning for assembly polls, he alleged.
Earlier this month, Kejriwal had announced the two schemes—Mahila Samman Yojana, according to which, eligible women will get Rs 1,000 every month, and the Sanjeevani Yojana, which promises free treatment for all elderly citizens above 60 years at government and private hospitals in Delhi.
Interestingly, the Union government had recently expanded Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to give free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to all those aged 70 years and above.
The Delhi Assembly polls are expected to be held in February next year.
AAP's schemes spark newspaper ad
Days after AAP leaders, including Atishi and Kejriwal, visited several areas in the national capital as part of the registration drive for the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana, the health and family welfare department issued a public notice against it.
The notice, which was published in the newspaper, denied the existence of any Sanjeevani scheme and warned the public against providing personal details to unauthorised people.
"If a person/entity calls you or visits you with the promise to provide benefit of free treatment under this supposed non-existent scheme or provide you some "Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Card in this regard, then you are hereby advised to: (1) not believe in any promise of free treatment under the supposed non-existent "Sanjeevani scheme" (2) not to provide any personal detail to anybody claiming to provide benefits under the scheme (3) not to affix your signature or thumbprint on any document unknowingly."
The matter, once again, highlighted the power tussle between the state government and the Union government, as the principal secretaries of all Delhi departments report to the Chief Secretary, who is appointed by the Union government. So, the AAP government has no control over Delhi officials.
Atishi said at the press conference that strict action will be taken against the Women and Child Development Department officials for issuing a public notice against Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana.