Centre paralysing Delhi govt's work with raids: AAP

NEW DELHI: "Whenever we starts functioning smoothly, the Centre tries to paralyse the Kejriwal government by using agencies such as CBI, ED, ACB and Income Tax Department," sources in the ruling Aam Aadmi Party said after Wednesday's raid on Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot's residence.

On Wednesday morning, I–T Department sleuths raided 16 residences and business premises related to Gahlot and his family members in the national Capital and Gurugram.

Gahlot holds the portfolios of Transport, Law, Revenue, Information Technology, and Administrative Reforms in the Delhi Cabinet.

Sources in AAP said that the first time, CBI had raided tje Chief Minister's office and arrested Rajendra Kumar, the then Principal Secretary of to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to paralysed the CMO.

They said the investigative agency had not been able to submit any evidence to even show the raid on Chief Minister office.

This was followed by four raids at Delhi PWD minister Satyender Jain's premises, allegedly for illegally appointing his daughter as consultant for the mohalla clinics and an officer on Special Duty (OSD) Nikunj Aggarwal.

Kejriwal himself has repeatedly said that the Centre has been trying to paralyse the Delhi government, even accusing that the Modi government had instigated the IAS officers to go on strike to paralyse the AAP government.

"Soon after our government was formed in Delhi, the Centre government has snatched all our powers concerning the transfers and posting of the officers," an AAP leader said.

"We are giving cheap electricity to the people, free water, good health and education services to the people. And they are forcing CBI, ED to conduct raids at the residences of our ministers and leaders. The public is watching everything and will give a reply in 2019 polls," the party spokesperson further added.