Delhi chief arrested as opposition party alleges ‘huge conspiracy’ ahead of Indian election

New Delhi CNN —

A key Indian opposition leader was arrested by authorities on Thursday over an alleged corruption case, in a move his allies claimed was politically motivated just weeks before the country votes in the world’s largest democratic election.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister and one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fiercest critics, was taken into custody following a raid on his home in the capital by the federal financial crimes agency, members of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said, marking the latest blow to an alliance of parties aiming to unseat Modi as he seeks a third consecutive term.

Kejriwal’s arrest comes as tensions run high ahead of the crucial election, in which Modi is widely expected to leave the opposition languishing despite sharp criticism over his perceived erosion of the country’s democratic founding principles.

Kejriwal and the AAP stand accused of favoring certain alcohol dealers and using unlawful money to fund an election campaign in relation to his implementation of a now-scrapped liquor policy. The chief minister has denied the allegations and his party alleged there is a “huge conspiracy” behind his arrest.

Two other AAP leaders have previously been arrested over the same case and Kejriwal has repeatedly accused Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using federal agencies to target the opposition.

AAP workers staged protests outside Kejriwal’s house Thursday, chanting slogans and blocking roads as he was taken away by officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

“This shows that today the ED is not an independent investigative agency,” said AAP politician Atishi Singh. “It is a political weapon of the BJP.”

Kejriwal will “remain the chief minister of Delhi” during