FM Arun Jaitley slams Arvind Kejriwal for his ‘political bankruptcy’

Union finance minister Arun Jaitley told Delhi high court on Friday that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders had launched a “calculated” defamatory campaign against him and his family with “ulterior motive” to get political mileage.

In his response to written statements filed by Mr Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai on a civil defamation suit, Mr Jaitley contended that the “defendants have, individually and collectively, in a calculated manner launched a per se defamatory campaign against plaintiff (Mr Jaitley) and his family members for gaining political mileage and ulterior motives.”

Mr Jaitley has sought Rs 10 crore in damages from the AAP leaders for issuing allegedly false and defamatory statements against him and his family in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association when he was its president.

Mr Kejriwal and the others have claimed that the suit was “a classic instance of political vendetta” with a view to “harass” them and curb their right to free speech.

Mr Jaitley alleged that statement of Mr Kejriwal that the plaintiff does not have a reputation or character to protect “demonstrates his (Mr Kejriwal’s) warped, flagitious and degenerate mindset and political bankruptcy.”

“Mr Kejriwal does not even understand the basic concept of reputation, character and good standing,” Mr Jaitley’s reply said, adding “there is not a shred of truth behind any of his (Mr Kejriwal) false and per se defamatory statements.”

Jaitley alleged that the CM was “trying to take refuge in statements of third parties who have not made any allegations that plaintiff is corrupt or that he has siphoned of Rs 57 crore.”

The CM “is not only guilty of embellishing and propagating any non-existent allegations against the plaintiff, but he is also guilty of manufacturing and disseminating false and malicious allegations against plaintiff which are per se defamatory,” Mr Jaitley’s reply said.