In a candid interview with PTI in Panaji, Goa, on August 19, 2025, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi’s Leader of Opposition, Atishi, described the March 2024 arrest of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a "very difficult phase" that ultimately fortified the party’s resolve to oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with unwavering determination. Kejriwal’s arrest, linked to an alleged money laundering case tied to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, marked him as the first sitting chief minister in India to be detained, sparking widespread protests and accusations of political vendetta.

Reflecting on the night of Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, 2024, Atishi recalled returning home with a "sinking heart" but a resolute commitment: “Whatever may happen now, we will fight against the BJP till our last breath.” She emphasized the deep personal bonds within AAP, describing members as “friends, family, colleagues” who built the party together. The arrests of key leaders like Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain, alongside Kejriwal, took a toll, with Atishi noting the deteriorating health of Sisodia’s wife during his incarceration.

Atishi staunchly defended Kejriwal’s integrity, arguing that a former Income Tax commissioner who left a lucrative career for public service would not engage in corruption. “If he had to indulge in corruption, he would not have sacrificed so much for this country, even his personal health,” she said, contrasting Kejriwal with IRS officers reportedly opting for voluntary retirement to leverage overseas investments. Her remarks come amid ongoing legal battles, with Kejriwal granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on July 12, 2024, in the ED case, followed by bail in a related CBI corruption case on September 13, 2024, after over five months in Tihar Jail.

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The arrests, perceived as a BJP strategy to weaken AAP ahead of the 2024 general elections, instead galvanized the party, Atishi claimed. She previously stated that Kejriwal’s arrest turned the polls into a “People vs. BJP” contest, boosting AAP’s electoral sympathy. Social media posts on X from @ANI and @TimesAlgebraIND echoed this sentiment, noting AAP’s unified front and public support during protests like the “Walk for Kejriwal” event. As Delhi gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, Atishi’s leadership and AAP’s resilience signal a fierce battle against the BJP, rooted in loyalty to Kejriwal’s vision.

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