Today in Politics: With no relief for Kejriwal, AAP, INDIA brace for long haul; Sukhu govt hits turbulence

In the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged liquor policy scam, the AAP and the Opposition INDIA bloc are facing a formidable challenge on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls.

According to sources, the plea by the legal team of Kejriwal before the Delhi High Court – requesting the court to hear his petition challenging his arrest at the earliest, preferably on Sunday — is unlikely to be heard before March 27, as the court is closed for Holi.

Earlier on Saturday, the CM moved the high court against his arrest by the ED. In his plea, the AAP national convener claimed his arrest and remand were illegal, and that he was entitled to be released from the ED’s custody immediately.

After a trial court on Friday had remanded Kejriwal in the ED’s custody till March 28 “for his detailed and sustained interrogation”, AAP sources said his legal team would request the high court to hear the matter urgently.

Meanwhile, a video of Kejriwal’s wife Sunita released by the AAP, in which she could be seen reading a letter, written by her husband from jail to voters and AAP workers, while sitting on the CM’s official chair has left social media divided. While some are predicting that it is a hint at the AAP pushing Sunita to succeed Arvind to the CM’s chair, critics are up in arms, alleging “nepotism” if indeed that happens. It is a slur that cuts deep, as one of the foundational policies of the AAP was to fight against nepotism in Indian politics.

In Himachal Pradesh, with the six rebel Congress leaders, whose Vidhan Sabha membership was cancelled, joining the BJP on Saturday along with the three Independent leaders who had resigned from the Vidhan Sabha Friday —