“My spirit is indomitable…” Kejriwal confirms his return to jail on June 2 but makes an emotional appeal ahead of phase seven poll battle

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal through a video message on Friday has confirmed that he will surrender before the jail authorities on June 2, as directed by the Supreme Court after the completion of his 21 days of interim bail. The Aam Aadmi Party convener has however made an emotional appeal, highlighting his “ill-health” and said his “spirit is indomitable”.

“I don’t know for how many days they will keep in jail. But my spirit is strong and I am proud that I am going to jail to rescue the nation from dictatorship”, said Kejriwal on Friday, a day before the seventh and the final phase of polling on June 1. Punjab goes to polling in the seventh phase along with several other states. The Delhi Chief Minister claimed that inside the jail he was denied proper health treatment, casting aspersions on intentions behind allegedly not providing him insulin to control his diabetes. “I have been diabetic for the past 20 years. I have been taking insulin regularly but inside the jail, they had stopped my insulin and my sugar level had shot up to 300. That could have impacted my body organs. I don’t know why they did so, what their intentions were”, he added.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday had rejected Kejriwal's plea for 7-day extension of his interim bail. SC registry refused to accept the application saying since CM was given the liberty to move to trial court for regular bail and thus the plea was not maintainable. Kejriwal had cited ill health and a battery of medical tests he needed to undergo but the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had strongly objected to the extension saying the chief minister was fit enough for campaigning and was partaking in other political activities.

Kejriwal in his emotional appeal urged people to keep his parents in their prayers and also reiterated that he as chief minister will continue to run the government from behind the bars. “All your work will continue. Work for Delhi won’t stop. All services will continue, irrespective of whether I am inside or outside. I have performed by duties as a son of your families…Don’t mourn if something happens to me”, he said while adding that soon the financial assistance scheme for women will be started assuring Rs 1000 to every woman in every household.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the ED in connection with alleged corruption linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The agency has alleged that the chief minister had been instrumental behind the alleged liquor policy scam and AAP had received kickbacks of Rs 100 crores in return for granting liquor licenses. Kejriwal and AAP have denied all allegations asking for proof of any money trail.​