Delhi CM locks horns with PM

Kejriwal alleges CBI raided his office to target him, calls Modi 'coward, psychopath'

NEW DELHI, Dec 15: Taking tensions between the Delhi government and the Centre to a new level, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided his office at the behest of Prime Minister rendra Modi. He also went as far as to call the Prime Minister a ‘coward and a psychopath.’

The central agency has registered a case against Rajender Kumar for allegedly favouring a firm in getting contracts from Delhi government.

The CBI said that searches are on at 14 locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and papers of 3 immovable properties and Rs. 2.4 lakhs recovered from residence of Kumar.

A CBI spokesperson said, “The CBI has registered a case against Rajender Kumar, secretary to CM Delhi, on the allegation of abusing his official position by favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders from delhi government departments. After taking warrants, searches are being conducted in the office and residence of Rajender Kumar.”

CBI sources said the case was registered based on a complaint filed former Delhi Dialogue Commission member Ashish Joshi who has a running feud with Kejriwal. In his complaint, Joshi had alleged that Kumar, while he was posted as Director (Education) between 2002 and 2005, created two companies — Caltoonz and EDUDEL MIS — registered in Timarpur. The then office superintendent, Ashok Kumar, was appointed in-charge of Caltoonz.

Earlier this morning, the Delhi chief minister had said that his office had been raided by the CBI and tweeted, “When Modi cudn’t handle me politically, he resorts to this cowardice (sic).” He also tweeted, “Modi is a coward and a psycopath (sic).”

The BJP hit back at the Delhi CM, demanding an unqualified apology for his words against the Prime Minister. “Kejriwal should tender an unqualified apology to the Prime Minister for using words like coward. What he said is uncalled for, unwarranted, shameful and condemble,” said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Kejriwal later accused the CBI of raiding his office in search of a file related to Fince Minister Arun Jaitley. “Rajendra (Kumar) is an excuse, Kejriwal is the target,” he said, adding, “If they were looking for files of 2007-14 period, what were they looking for in my office?”

They wanted, Kejriwal said, a report of the commission that had probed on his instructions the affairs of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), which he alleged was a den of corruption. Jaitley had been involved for a long time with the DDCA, he said.

Reacting to Kejriwal’s statement, Jaitley said on Tuesday evening: “His (Kejriwal) morning statement appeared to be prima facie incorrect. But the evening one seems to be absolute rubbish. And I don’t think I need to respond to rubbish.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Jaitley said the CBI raid was not against Kejriwal, but against an official who was attached to his office. “The raids have nothing to do with Arvind Kejriwal’s office or his tenure as chief minister. They relate to a period much before he became chief minister.

“Now if these facts can be twisted and an incorrect argument is developed, let others outside do it because every word said in this house has sanctity,” Jaitley said in Parliament.

The raid could potentially be the latest flash-point in what has been a highly troublesome and tumultous relationship between the AAP government and the BJP-ruled Centre ever since Kejriwal assumed power. (Agencies)