INDIA bloc alleges ED, CBI, knocks poll panel's door after Kejriwal's arrest

A delegation, comprising several leaders of the INDIA bloc on Friday met the Election Commission of India (ECI) to register their protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate and the alleged targetting of opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

During the meeting, INDIA bloc leaders submitted a memorandum to the poll panel which featured a list of recent instances of central agencies targeting opposition parties and alleged an absence of a "level playing field" for the opposition.

In a memorandum submitted to the poll panel, INDIA bloc parties alleged "unrelenting, blatant and illegal deployment of central agencies" by the ruling BJP to stifle the opposition parties.

Opposition leaders shared a list of ten incidents of cases and raids against opposition leaders by central agencies since January this year. The instances included CBI registering an FIR



against TMC's Mahua Moitra, raids and arrest of leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which is not a part of the INDIA bloc, raids against and arrest of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav's aide, arrest of Hemant Soren, and freezing of Congress's accounts among other incidents.

"Therefore, there emerges a clear, deliberate and sinister pattern, where the ruling regime is abusing its power, and completely destroying any semblance of a level playing field for other political parties contesting the Lok Sabha elections," the Opposition said in the memorandum.

"Never before has such high-handedness ever been witnessed. It is our submission that free and fair elections are not possible in an atmosphere of threats, intimidation and extortion (as seen from the electoral bonds issue being adjudicated before the Supreme Court). The Hon'ble Commission must act and take drastic steps to halt this brazen misuse of the official machinery," it added.