The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
AAP protests Kejriwal arrest: Sanjay Singh says vote for us to get schools
EMPHASISING PROMISES of building schools and hospitals, the Aam Aadmi Party’s enduring pitch ahead of polls, senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Sunday said that there was a big difference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“Kejriwal and INDIA bloc will win, your children will get good education, school, hospital, electricity and there will be a smile on your face... when Kejriwal meets people, he talks about education, school and hospitals... Modi ji ek sabha main gaye, unhone kaha gaon gaon main kabaristan hota hai, toh samshan hona chahiye ki nahi hona chahiye... after that Covid broke out and cremation grounds were built in all villages,” said singh, addressing a gathering at the aap’s day-long fast at jantar Mantar to protest kejriwal’ s arrest in the Delhi excise policy case.
Singh, who was granted bail by the supreme court in the same case last week, said: “If you vote for Kejriwal, AAP and his leaders, you will get schools, hos pit als... bjp walon ko jeetaoge to gaon gaon main shamsan paoge (if you vote BJP to power, you will find cremation grounds in the villages),” he said. Addressing hundreds of party workers, leaders andvolunteers, he urged them to gear up for the upcoming lo ks ab ha polls and ensure a win for AAP and the opposition’s INDIA bloc.
“Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested in connection with a huge conspiracy... Standing at the historic Jantar Mantar, I'm telling you Arvind Kejriwal was, is and will always be an honest person. He was our CM and will remain our CM,” said Singh.
Protests were also held in several cities across the country by local party units. This included cities in Punjab, Haryana, Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra. AAP also issued a statement saying that its supporters living in 13 countries observed a fast in support of Kejriwal. “The fast was observed in various countries, including US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway, Ireland,” the statement said.
Singh, meanwhile, talking about the statements of approve rs in the excise policy case, said the message that Kejriwal has been trapped in a false case has to be taken to each and every house.
He claimed that while those who have named kejriwal in their statements did not take his name in the first few statements they gave to the ED, it was after they were arrested and pressured that they changed their statements.
He claimed that Aurobindo P harm a directors ar at hr eddy got bail on health grounds only after he gave statements against Kejriwal .“man i sh si sod ia’ s wife is sick for last 20 years and needs him by her side but he doesn’t get bail ... but the king pin( red dy) gets bail for back pain,” he said.
He also accused the BJP of taking Rs 55 crore in the form of electoral bonds from Reddy in lieu of bail.
Sing hal so urged L-GVK Saxena to write a letter to CBI and ED and other agencies to initiate an inquiry against the BJP in the excise policy case. “L-G sir, if you have integrity and respect the Constitution, then write a letter today itself, get the CBI, ED and Income Tax to investigate the BJP'S liquor scam and put their leaders in jail,” he said.
He asked his party leaders Atishi and other Delhi ministers to demand a probe against the bjp in the alleged Rs 55 crore money trail. “The most corrupt party in the country is the BJP,” he alleged.
“They are demanding resignation of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Why should he resign? He was, is and will always be the CM of Delhi... He left his IRS job to serve the country... he did a sit-in protest against corruption for 13 days, he was on hunger strike to provide relief to people of delhi from high electricity bills, he provided free education, health, free bus travel for women... he has given his life to this country. And they arrest such a person and put him behind the bars... It's sad,” he said.
Singh also advised his party workers and leaders to not believe in BJP’S “ab ki baar 400 paar” slogan. “Don't get fooled by their gimmicks, they are not going to win the polls. Any party which has confidence of winning more than 400 seats will not stoop this low, it will not arrest a sitting CM and freeze the accounts of Congress... Modi ji haar rahe hain, 2024 main wapas jaa rahe hain...”
The protest included all ministers and key party MLAS Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Imran Hussain, Gopal Rai, Raj Kumar Anand, as well as Rajya Sabha MP ND Gupta in participation.