"The defamation case Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is fighting against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is a public and not a private issue", said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday.
Sisodia made the comments while defending the Delhi government's decision to pay lawyer Ram Jethmalani from the exchequer.
Since then, Jethmalani has stated that he will fight the case free of cost.
But, on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Arvind Kejriwal for reportedly fighting defamation suits against him by using public money.
The Saffron party asked why the public should pay for Kejriwal's 'karma' (deeds)?
"Defamation cases are personal cases against Kejriwal, not against the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Hence, Kejriwal should fight these cases with personal money, not public money," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
In 2015, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had filed a defamation suit against Kejriwal who alleged irregularities in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) during the chairmanship of Jaitley.
"There were allegations of corruption in DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association)" when Jaitley headed it", said Sisodia.
He also stated that the government formed a committee to probe this matter and free cricket of corruption.
"The defamation case against Kejriwal was filed by those who feared they would be caught in the probe. This is a public matter, and not pertaining to Kejriwal's private property," added the Deputy Chief Minister.
Sisodia also questioned the timing of the matter being raked up.
"It is proper that the government bears the expenses of the case," said Sisodia.
"This case has been going on for one-and-half years. Why is this issue being raised now?", he asked.
Also, stated that it was a diversionary tactic by the BJP to draw attention away from the issue of faulty electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashish Khetan also defended the Delhi government's decision and said unlike 'rich' Jaitley, Arvind Kejriwal was 'penny less'.
According to Khetan, Jaitley filed the case not against Kejriwal the individual, but against the idea he embodies and people he represents.
"Dear Narendra Modi Sir, Arvind Kejriwal, and the AAP are penny less. Your Finance Minister is a rich man. He can afford expensive advocates. We cannot do the same," said Khetan.
He also accused Jaitley of making money defending 'big people involved in big scams'.
Jethmalani sent Kejriwal a bill of around Rs 3.4 crore for appearing in the court in the defamation suit.
The Delhi government decided to pay from public exchequer and sent the file to the Lt Governor for further approval in the matter.