'Hope Situation Will Improve': Kejriwal Meets Delhi Lt Governor For First Time Since Raids On Sisodia

This was the first meeting of Kejriwal and Saxena since CBI raided Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia's residence in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy.

Amid a fierce face-off between AAP and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor over corruption allegations, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday met VK Saxena for the first time in three weeks. This was the first meeting of Kejriwal and Saxena since CBI raided Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia's residence in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Following the meeting, Kejriwal said whatever happened was "unfortunate" and hoped that the situation would improve, PTI reported.

"Whatever happened was unfortunate. I hope the situation will improve. We had a discussion in a very cordial atmosphere," Kejriwal said.  Kejriwal had skipped the previous three weekly meetings, held every Friday, with the Lieutenant Governor. 

The meeting lasted nearly 40 minutes. Kejriwal said the Friday meetings with Saxena in the last few weeks could not take place as he was out of Delhi "by chance".

"The meeting today was very good…Several issues were discussed. I requested him to improve MCD work together as filth in the city has become a big issue. I also offered the Delhi government's help in removing garbage dumps that will take years with the present speed of work," the AAP chief told reporters after the meeting.

The tussle started after LG Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the implementation of the liquor policy by the AAP government. Sisodia has been named as an accused in the case along with 15 others.

READ | Delhi L-G Sends Legal Notice To AAP Leaders Over 'False' Corruption Charges

The war of words escalated after AAP leaders alleged that LG Saxena pressured his employees to exchange demonetised currency notes worth Rs 1,400 crore in 2016 when he was the chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

The AAP also demanded Saxena's resignation, besides a probe by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

Following the corruption charge, the Lt Governor hit out at Kejriwal earlier this month, accusing him of resorting to "diversionary tactics and false accusations" out of "desperation".

Lt Governor Saxena has called the charges "highly defamatory and false" and sent a legal notice to AAP leaders Atishi, Durgesh Pathak, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh.

Responding to the legal action, Kejriwal had said that those in public life should be ready for any probe into allegations against them.