NEW DELHI: Even as opposition builds pressure on the Delhi CM to resign, Aam Aadmi Party signalled its strategy of not appointing anyone else to the post, with Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday issuing his first “direction” from Enforcement Directorate’s custody.
In a “written note”, handed over via his lawyer to the chief minister’s office, Kejriwal directed minister Atishi, who holds the water portfolio, to resolve water and sewer-related problems in some areas of the city, the party said.
Reacting to the move, ED said it will probe the party’s claim as no stationery is allowed for those in custody. Sources said Atishi will be questioned on the source of the purported “order”, and who brought it and delivered it to her and when. Sources said the agency will verify the claim through CCTV footage.
Earlier, Atishi revealed the contents of the CM’s “note” to her. “I have learned that there are significant water and sewage issues in some areas of Delhi. I am concerned about this. People should not suffer because I am in jail. Summers are approaching as well,” Kejriwal wrote, as per the AAP minister.

Kejriwal, 55, was arrested by ED on Thursday from his official residence in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. A court on Friday sent the AAP national convenor to the central agency’s custody till March 28. This was Kejriwal’s first “communication” to a minister since then.
“Where there is a shortage of water, arrange for tankers in adequate numbers. Give appropriate orders to officials, including chief secretary, so that people do not face any inconvenience. The problems of the people should be addressed immediately and properly,” the CM wrote, as claimed by Atishi. “If necessary, also seek the cooperation of the lieutenant governor. He will also definitely help,” he added.
Sharing the details of the “note” at a press meet, Atishi said she had tears in her eyes as she read the instructions. “I thought who else other than CM Kejriwal would be so concerned about Delhi’s people in such dire circumstances… when he has been arrested and does not know when he will be released from jail,” she said.

“Without bothering about his own troubles, he is thinking about the water and sewer-related problems of the people of Delhi,” she added.
Atishi said, “I want to tell the BJP that you can arrest Arvind Kejriwal, you can put him in jail, but you cannot imprison the love and responsibility he has for the people of Delhi. You cannot confine his dedication towards the people of Delhi.”
Hitting back, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said AAP leaders were “masters of gimmick” and Kejriwal’s letter to Atishi was “nothing but a melodramatic effort to be in news”.

The “letter” has intrigued ED officials. Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Ku mar, who is already being probed for alleged destruction of evidence, including multiple handsets related to the alleged liquor scam, is also being questioned about the “order” issued on behalf of the office of the chief minister when Kejriwal is in custody.
Sources said the ED probe would also cover the possibility of the “order” being taken out through one of Kejriwal’s lawyers and his wife Sunita Kejriwal, who have met him in custody.