Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that “drugs are coming into the country through Gujarat” right under the nose of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Accusing the BJP of making Delhi a hub for drug trade, Kejriwal said, “Drug abuse has increased in the capital… the grocery Shops Schools and Colleges. Wherever I go to meet people or to rallies, people ask me to raise the issue of drug addiction… People are afraid…”
He was addressing the Delhi Assembly in the House on the last day of the Atishi-led AAP government. After the elections, the House will meet again after the formation of the new government at the beginning of next year.
Reading a document, he listed several cases of drug busts in the city. (In October) a total of 1,289 kg of drugs worth 1,300 crores and 40 kg of ganja have been seized… all these drugs came from Gujarat… drug manufacturing factories are running openly in Vadodara, Ankleshwar in Gujarat… where do these factories come from? Raw materials to make medicine? From ports, especially Mundra port by sea.
Kejriwal alleged that the raw material arriving at the Mundra port, controlled by industrialist Gautam Adani, goes to various drug factories in Gujarat and then supplies drugs to Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states.
“So, drugs are coming from Gujarat. Who controls Mundra port? Their friend Adani. I don’t want to blame (anyone) but… it will ruin our children,” he said.
Regarding Shah, Kejriwal said, “One person is responsible for controlling drug addiction in this country. He is our Home Minister Amit Shah. But under his nose illegal drugs are being supplied across the country… these drugs are from his home state and… we all know this port owner is a friend of Amit Shah.
He added, “Can this racket run without the knowledge and protection of the government… People are asking, is the government also involved in this… I request Amit Shah ji to take action and control these illegal drug rackets and make our country drug free.” Otherwise people will say, ‘You are also involved in this racket’.
Kejriwal also blamed Shah for the rise in crime in Delhi. “Catch as many of my MLAs as you want, throw as much liquid as you can, attack me as much as you want. I will continue to fight for the safety of the common people of Delhi,” he said.
Hitting back, Opposition leader Vijender Gupta alleged that the AAP government was patronizing the Rohingyas and drug dealers, which had led to an increase in drug-related activities and crime in the city.
After Speaker Ramniwas Goyal rejected a request for a short-term discussion under Rule 54, the Gupta-led BJP members walked out of the assembly in protest. When BJP members pressed for discussion on other issues including Kejriwal’s residence, which the party referred to as ‘Sheesh Mahal’.
“When he raised the issue of crores being spent on Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Shees Mahal’, my microphone was turned off, and I was not allowed to speak… AAP is trying to issue voter ID cards to thousands of Rohingyas living illegally in Delhi… Rohingyas are involved in drug trade and other involved in criminal activities,” said Gupta.