Delhi CM Kejriwal Reacts To CBI Raids, Says: "We Welcome, Will Cooperate"

Kejriwal takes Twitter to underline Sisodia's work...

Ahead of the CBI raids on Delhi's deputy CM Manish Sisodia over Delhi's now-withdrawn policy on liquor sale, AAP convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said the action is "welcome" and "we will cooperate fully", but added that "nothing will come out". 

The raids at 21 locations in seven states or UTs, including Mr Sisodia's official residence in the national capital, are to probe alleged corruption in the New Excise Policy of the Delhi government.

While reacting to the raids, AAP chief Kejriwal takes Twitter, sought to highlight Mr Sisodia's work to improve schools, mentioning that the CBI raids come on "a day when the Delhi education model was praised and Manish Sisodia's picture printed on the front page of America's largest newspaper NYT (New York Times)".

"There have been many investigations and raids in the past as well. Nothing came out. This time, too, nothing will come out," he wrote, in Hindi, sharing a tweet by Manish Sisodia in which he said AAP leaders are "kattar imaandar" (staunchly honest).

Taking notes from the liquor policy at the nub of the case had brought in private players. It came into effect in May, but was withdrawn at the end of July after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena found "procedural irregularities", official speak for "corruption". He recommended the probe by the central agency.

The Aam Aadmi Party has been alleging that the BJP at the Centre is targeting its leaders, another minister, Satyender Jain, is in jail in a different case, because it is perturbed by the "Delhi model of development". It has been at odds with successive Lt Governors, appointed by the Centre. Mr Sisodia — who holds the Revenue and Education portfolios, among several others — made a veiled reference to the Narendra Modi government in a tweet: "These people are troubled because of the excellent work done by the Delhi government in the health and education sectors, and that is why ministers of both departments are targeted.

The Health portfolio was with Satyender Jain but was allotted to Mr Sisodia after his arrest in June.

"It is very unfortunate that those who do good work in our country are harassed like this. That is why our country has not yet become Number 1," Mr Sisodia tweeted.

"Making India Number 1" is AAP's latest pitch for a national profile, launched by Mr Kejriwal earlier this week.