Delhi LG letter criticizes Kejriwal's jail diet; AAP slams the allegations
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the BJP of plotting a "sinister plan to kill" Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, following a communication from Lt. Governor (LG) VK Saxena. The LG's letter, addressed to the Chief Secretary, alleged that Kejriwal, who is currently in Tihar Jail under judicial custody, was deliberately not consuming his prescribed medical diet and medicines.
The letter, citing a report from the Tihar Jail Superintendent, claimed that there were several instances of "willful low-calorie intake" by Kejriwal despite sufficient home-cooked food being provided to him. It also noted that Kejriwal refused to take insulin before dinner on July 7. This communication intensified the political spat over Kejriwal's health in jail, prompting a strong reaction from AAP.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh criticized the LG's claims, calling them a joke and questioning how anyone would deliberately lower their blood sugar levels, a dangerous act for a diabetic. Senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi highlighted that Kejriwal's blood sugar level had dipped below 50 mg/dL more than eight times in jail, putting him at risk of a coma or brain stroke. Atishi condemned the LG's communication as "very unfortunate" and unbecoming of a constitutional head, suggesting that the BJP was behind a conspiracy to deteriorate Kejriwal's health.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva countered these allegations, stating that the Tihar Jail superintendent's report exposed Kejriwal's attempt to gain sympathy by deliberately taking fewer calories and declining insulin to show weight loss and high blood sugar levels. Sachdeva claimed that Kejriwal was consuming less food from June 6 to July 13 to lose weight and garner sympathy from the court for bail.
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam on March 21 and was later granted bail by the Supreme Court. However, he remains in Tihar Jail in connection with a related CBI case.
The LG's letter to the Chief Secretary also highlighted significant discrepancies between glucometer readings and the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) readings, noting variations in Kejriwal's blood sugar levels that required verification by appropriate medical authorities. The letter detailed instances where Kejriwal did not consume the prescribed diet and refused insulin, emphasizing the need for him to adhere to his prescribed medical regimen due to his history of Type-II Diabetes Mellitus.
The AAP accused the BJP and the central government of conspiring to cause permanent damage to Kejriwal's health in jail. The party claimed that Kejriwal's weight had dropped from 63.5 kg to 61.5 kg since his surrender on June 2, 2024, due to insufficient calorie intake. The LG's letter and the political reactions it sparked have further fueled the controversy surrounding Kejriwal's health and the conditions of his imprisonment.
