Kejriwal rules out running for CM’s position in Punjab

CLARIFICATION Says candidate to be from state as Sisodia’s remarks prompt rivals to accuse AAP of ‘imposing outsider’

PATIALA: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, scotched speculation on Wednesday that he is in the race for the top job in Punjab, saying his party will make a state’s native the chief minister if his party wins the February 4 assembly polls.

Speculation swirled after his deputy, Manish Sisodia, told people in Mohali on Tuesday that they should vote assuming that it is to make Kejriwal the chief minister.

Political rivals — the Congress and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — latched on to the Delhi deputy chief minister’s remarks, alleging that the AAP was trying to foist an “outsider” to head the government if it comes to power.

“Who says the CM will be from outside the state? The Punjab CM will be from Punjab only,” said Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister whose AAP has emerged as a major force in its debut Punjab assembly elections.

Then he said: “Whosoever will be the Punjab chief minister, it will be my personal responsibility that all promises made by HS PHOOLKA A prominent Sikh face for the party, he is famous for fighting cases on behalf of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims BHAGWANT MANN

Party’s public interface for over a year. Openly declared himself CM candidate but was rebuffed by brass ARVIND KEJRIWAL, Aam Aadmi Party chief

AAP are fulfilled.”

Kejriwal’s party is seeking to wrest power from the BJP-SAD combine that has been at the helm for two terms. The Congress too is in the fray.

Kejriwal said party colleague Sisodia’s remarks have been misinterpreted.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 HIMMAT SHERGILL

A political greenhorn, he is close to the powers that be in the party GURPREET SINGH GHUGGI AAP state convener, he has acted in

Punjabi movies, is a good orator and connects well with people

I am the Chief Minister of Delhi. I have to fulfil my responsibilities in Delhi. I cannot become the Chief Minister of Punjab

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