The AAP government is likely to present its budget for the 2024-25 financial year on March 4, the same day the Enforcement Directorate has summoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it for questioning. On Tuesday, the central probe agency issued an eighth summons to the AAP convener in a money laundering case related to Delhi’s now-scrapped liquor policy. “The budget is likely to be tabled in the Assembly early next week. It will in all probability be presented before the Assembly on Monday,” news agency PTI reported citing sources.

Last Monday, the chief minister skipped the seventh summons, saying he would appear before the ED if a court ordered him to do so. On February 17, the AAP convener appeared before the Rouse Avenue court via video conferencing in connection with a complaint filed by the ED against him over non-compliance with its summons in a money laundering case.

Kejriwal has so far skipped seven summons issued by the ED, calling them “illegal and politically motivated”. The AAP convener had earlier written to the ED alleging that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections.

“It is a matter of concern that despite my comprehensive response(s) bringing to your notice critical dimensions and legal objections involved in issuing summons to me to appear ‘in person’ in your purported exercise of powers under Section 50 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), you have chosen not to respond,” Kejriwal wrote to ED.