Delhi: AAP to start campaign seeking opinion on Kejriwal's arrest
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to commence its signature "Mai Bhi Kejriwal" campaign from Friday, seeking public opinion on whether Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should continue governing from jail or resign if arrested. The campaign will run from December 1 to 20 at all 2,600 polling stations in Delhi, with ministers, MLAs, members, and workers taking part. "The decision...will be taken on the basis of what people of Delhi decide," said Delhi minister Gopal Rai.
Why does this story matter?
The AAP has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of trying to implicate Kejriwal in a corruption case related to the now-scrapped liquor policy. On Thursday, Rai and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha addressed a press conference wherein they reiterated the same. Rai attacked the Centre, saying that fake corruption cases are being registered against the leaders of his party. Kejriwal, earlier this month, skipped a summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the case.
BJP trying to frame AAP leaders in false cases: Chadha
Chadha accused the BJP of trying to frame AAP leaders in false cases to weaken the party and undermine Kejriwal. "If BJP believes that after the arrest everything will conclude, we are prepared to govern from behind bars. All members have appealed to continue running the government from jail," he said.
Watch: AAP ministers address press conference
More about AAP's Mai Bhi Kejriwal campaign
The campaign aims to garner public opinion on various questions that could helm Delhi's administration. Apart from asking if Kejriwal should continue governing from behind bars if arrested, the campaign also seeks public opinion on the competition between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kejriwal and the BJP's strategies to tackle corruption. During the campaign, the party will also distribute pamphlets on the same.
Sanjay Singh alleges conspiracy against Kejriwal
Earlier, jailed AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed a "big conspiracy to trap" Kejriwal was being concocted by the ruling government. A video shared online by the AAP showed Singh cautioning, "Not just arrest, they are planning a big move against Kejriwal." Notably, several leaders, including Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, earlier speculated that Kejriwal's arrest in the case was "imminent."
