We encourage fair, transparent legal process for CM Kejriwal: US State Department
New Delhi: Amid Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's continued detention by the Enforcement Directorate, the United States commented on Monday, March 25, urging for a "fair, transparent, and timely legal process" for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, as reported by Reuters.
In response to an emailed query, a State Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal, according to the news report.
Regarding India's objection to Germany's statement on the arrest, the spokesperson suggested referring to the German Foreign Ministry for further comments on their discussions with the Indian government.
On March 22, Sebastian Fischer, a spokesperson for Germany’s foreign ministry, had acknowledged the case involving Kejriwal, stating, "We have taken note of the case. India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of the judiciary and fundamental democratic principles will also apply in this case."
Fischer emphasized Kejriwal's right to a fair trial, including the utilization of all legal remedies without restriction, highlighting the importance of the presumption of innocence in the rule of law.
Responding to Germany's remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the German deputy chief of mission in New Delhi on March 23. The MEA expressed India's strong protest against the comments made by the German Foreign Office Spokesperson, perceiving them as interference in India's judicial process and undermining the independence of the judiciary.
Notably, Kejriwal's arrest marks the second instance of a sitting chief minister being detained in less than two months. His detention coincided with accusations by the Congress's top leadership, alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of financially weakening the party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by freezing its bank accounts.
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Karnataka HM G Parameshwara blames EVM for Cong debacle in Maharashtra, backs ballot papers
BENGALURU: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged Electronic Voting Machine manipulations led to the defeat of Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in just concluded assembly polls in Maharashtra.
While speaking to reporters here on Monday, he said the BJP does selective manipulations to convince people that there were no wrongdoings. He also wanted to go back to the paper ballots system.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra won a landslide victory in the assembly elections, shattering the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi's dream to wrest power. The BJP won the highest ever 132 seats for the party, while the Shiv Sena led by Shinde bagged 57 seats and NCP won 41 seats to take the Mahayuti total to 230 seats. Congress as part of MVA won just 16 seats.
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"We analysed the Maharashtra poll outcome deeply. We felt that in many places EVMs were manipulated," Parameshwara said. He also said an obvious question would be why not it happened in Jharkhand and elsewhere. The manipulations are done selectively so that no one can question it, he blamed.
According to him, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is a leading partner. Had the Congress been the leading partner, things would have changed. He backed the ballot papers saying that the same was discussed in Maharashtra Congress as well.
