AAP claims conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal after mango eating row
New Delhi/IBNS: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi Thursday evening alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to "conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal", claiming the Delhi Chief Minister a Type 2 diabetes patient and "is not being given insulin despite repeated requests".
The charge came hours after the Enforcement Directorate, which arrested Kejriwal in the alleged liquor policy scam on March 21, opposed a request for a video consultation with his regular doctor.
"If the BJP is not able to defeat Arvind Kejriwal in three elections (three Delhi Assembly elections) then a plan is being hatched to kill him by keeping him in jail," Atishi said.
"Everyone knows Arvind Kejriwal is a patient of severe diabetes... he has been suffering for the past 30 years. To keep his sugar level under control he takes 54 units of insulin daily," she continued.
"Ask any doctor... only someone who has such severe diabetes takes this much insulin. That is why the court allowed Arvind Kejriwal to eat home-cooked food... and eat food prescribed by the doctor."
"But today the Bharatiya Janata Party, through its affiliate (the ED), is trying to spoil the health of Kejriwalji... Today the ED lied repeatedly," she said, hitting back at the agency's arguments in the court.
The ED has rejected the application of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is lodged in Tihar Jail following his arrest in connection with Delhi liquor scam last month, to consult his regular doctor via videoconference.
Kejriwal, who suffers from Type 2 diabetes, has been receiving medication in jail, but his Aam Aadmi Party has raised concerns about his fluctuating blood sugar levels and weight loss.
The plea, which was presented to Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, was dismissed by the federal agency.
The agency alleged that despite Kejriwal's claims of poor health, he freely consumes sweets and mangoes, which are not recommended for diabetes patients.
The Enforcement Directorate asserted that Kejriwal was preparing grounds for a bail appeal.
"Diet chart has mangoes and sweets on it... it has been placed before the court. (Mr Kejriwal) is regularly consuming foods not permitted for any diabetic patient," Zuhaib Hussain, the ED's legal counsel, said after the hearing, the NDTV report said. "The person is in court's custody... and court has to ensure their safety."
However, Kejriwal's legal team has emphasised that all food items on the Chief Minister's diet chart were prescribed by his doctor.
His lawyer accused the Enforcement Directorate of fabricating excuses to halt the supply of home-cooked food, which was permitted by the court considering the AAP leader's diabetes.
"He is only eating what is prescribed by doctors. ED is trying to stop the supply of home-cooked food. This concerns the health of the Chief Minister..." Vivek Jain, the AAP leader's lawyer, told reporters, according to the report.
The court has asked the jail authorities to submit a report and has postponed the matter until Friday.
The AAP asserted that after his transfer to Tihar Jail, he lost 4.5 kg. This claim followed Delhi Minister Atishi's statement that Kejriwal's blood sugar level had dangerously dropped to 46 mg at one point.
Atishi mentioned that doctors had warned her that such a drop is "very dangerous."
The court has taken note of his illness and permitted home-cooked food, bottled water, and a supply of toffees in case of sudden blood sugar drops. He was also granted access to bed linen from home and medical equipment to monitor his health.