'Ran govt from jail for 160 days': Arvind Kejriwal joins Constitution Bill debate; slams Centre

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday invoked his 160-day stint in jail while leading the government remotely. Kejriwal's comments came amid a heated debate on the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025.The bill has sparked intense debate, with the opposition alleging political motives to destabilise non-BJP governments.

“When the Centre, under a political conspiracy, sent me to jail in a false case, I ran the government from jail for 160 days,” Kejriwal said while joining the discussion. The amendment bill, tabled by Union home minister Amit Shah, seeks to automatically remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a punishment of five years or more.Kejriwal lashed out at the BJP government in Delhi, claiming that the city was in far better shape during the so-called “jail government.” “In the last seven months, the BJP government in Delhi has made such a mess of the city that people are now remembering that government. At least then, there were no power cuts, water was available, medicines and tests were free in mohalla clinics, schools were regulated, and a single spell of rain did not paralyse the city,” he posted on X.

Amit Shah, while introducing the bill, defended it as necessary to uphold “constitutional morality” and public trust. “This will apply equally to all leaders, even those in the ruling party,” he told ANI, stressing that courts would serve as a safeguard against misuse.He also took a swipe at Kejriwal, saying, “He got bail within 30 days. I believe he should have resigned then. Now, he will have to resign lawfully if detained for 30 days or more.”The bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with 31 members from both Houses, which will scrutinise the draft before a final vote. While the government insists it strengthens accountability, opposition parties allege the move is politically motivated to destabilise non-BJP governments.(With agency inputs)