News Analysis India

Tag: Arvind Kejriwal

  • ‘Kejriwal wrote to government urging vaccination for all’: Satyendar Jain counters Centre

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: In view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the country, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to the central government urging to open vaccination for all, said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

    When asked about the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare letter to Punjab, Delhi and Maharashtra, asking them to undertake necessary corrective actions immediately for improving the COVID-19 vaccination drives in their state/UT, Jain said the Centre is doing politics over vaccination.

    “Centre is doing politics over vaccination. We should fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. Centre was alleging that there was less vaccination of healthcare workers in Delhi. We can also say that there was less vaccination at Centre’s hospitals. This isn’t an issue, the issue is that we have to vaccinate more and more people soon,” he said.

    “The vaccination drive is going well in Delhi. We received some vaccines yesterday. We have stock for four to five days. We have demanded more and we will get it,” he said.

    Addressing media, Jain on Thursday said, “The Chief Minister had written to Centre that vaccination should be opened for all. We have made two more requests that vaccination should be allowed at least for all adults. Secondly, it should be allowed even at camp settings and not only at healthcare facilities.”

    Jain further said that out of the total vaccination done in Delhi, ”only 30 per cent to 40 per cent was done in the central government’s hospitals”.

    He said instead of fighting the pandemic together, the Centre alleged that there was less vaccination of healthcare workers in Delhi.

    “We should fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. Centre was alleging that there was less vaccination of healthcare workers in Delhi. We can also say that there was less vaccination at Centre’s hospitals. This isn’t an issue, the issue is that we have to vaccinate more and more people soon,” he said.

    Yesterday, Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry wrote to Principal Secretaries of Health and Family Welfare of Punjab, Delhi and Maharashtra, asking them to undertake necessary corrective actions immediately for improving the COVID-19 vaccination drives in their state/UT.

    ALSO READ | After Harsh Vardhan’s outburst against Uddhav government, Centre writes to Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi flagging below-par vaccination

    Jain also said out of the total vaccination done in Delhi, only 30 per cent to 40 per cent was done in the central government’s hospitals.

    Jain also informed that Delhi has COVID-19 vaccine stock that will last only for four to five more days.

    He said the vaccination drive is going well in Delhi. “We received some vaccines yesterday. We have stock for 4-5 days. We have demanded more and we will get it,” he added.

    In view of the rising Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government has imposed a night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am, starting from Tuesday. The curfew rule will remain implemented till April 30.

    Delhi reported 5,506 new Covid-19 cases and 20 deaths on Wednesday. The national capital has 19,455 active cases currently.

    Jain said the Covid-19 cases are doubling weekly. “The positivity rate in Delhi is 6 per cent. It is higher in urban areas and lowers in rural areas… The mortality rate is 0.4 per cent,” he added. 

  • Punjab announces ban on political rallies till April 30 to combat new Covid wave

    By Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: With the UK Covid-19 variant running rampant in the state and accounting for 85% of the new cases, Punjab has announced a ban on political gatherings and rallies in the state till April 30. If any political party or leader is found to be violating the order, they will be booked under the Disaster Management Act (DMA) and Epidemics Act. 

    The state government has also announced the imposition of a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am across Punjab. Earlier, it had been imposed in only 12 districts.

    The order is expected to lead to another face-off between the ruling Congress and opposition SAD and AAP. Both the SAD and AAP have been holding gatherings across the state in the run-up to assembly polls next year.

    Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he had no option but to go in for stricter measures to control the ongoing surge, even though the number of new cases had stabilized to an extent in the last few days due to curbs imposed earlier. 

    He said he had been forced to order the ban on political gatherings as his pleas to all political parties to refrain from organising such events had been ignored, despite the fact that the Congress party had unilaterally announced its decision of not holding any rallies or public meetings last month.

    ALSO READ | Pakistani smuggler gunned down along International Border; 22kg heroin, arms seized

    Expressing surprise at the behaviour of certain political leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister and national convenor of AAP Arvind Kejriwal and Sukhbir Singh Badal President of Shiromani Akali Dal, who had been attending political rallies without following safety protocols, he said such irresponsible conduct doesn’t behove them. 

    “How do you expect people to be serious about the spread of the disease if senior political leaders behave like this,” he asked, adding that his government will need to be tough to tackle such violations and political leaders will also need to be booked.

    He ordered the police and the district administrations to register cases against the political leaders, organizers and participants of political gatherings under the DMA and Epidemics Act, besides booking the owners of the tent houses, who provide the infrastructure for such gatherings. He said even the venue owners, who would provide space for such events, will not be spared and they too will be booked and their venues sealed for three months.

    CM Amarinder in his weekly review of the Covid situation expressed concern at the high positivity and mortality rates in the state. He said it was a matter of concern that over 85 per cent of cases in Punjab are being caused by the UK variant, which is more contagious and virulent.

    Only a maximum of 50 people can now attend funeral and cremations and weddings held indoors while 100 people are allowed if these events are held outdoors. Wearing of masks has been made mandatory for all government employees while at offices.

    These restrictions, coupled with the ones imposed earlier, which include closure of schools and educational institutions, shall remain effective till April 30. 

    There was some respite for shop owners in malls, as the government allowed entry of 10 people into any shop at any given time, as against the earlier order of not allowing more than 100 people in a mall at one time. This would imply that 200 people will be allowed in a mall with 20 shops at any given time.

    The Punjab CM further said that no social, cultural or sports gatherings and related functions will be allowed till April 30.  In-person public dealings shall be restricted in all Government offices and online and virtual modes for grievance redressal shall be encouraged, he said while adding that all government employees will need to compulsorily wear a mask while attending office. Amarinder said citizens should be encouraged to visit public offices only for essential services and the concerned departments should issue instructions announcing the limiting of daily appointments. He said restrictions of running cinema houses at 50 per cent of their capacity shall continue till April 30.

    He also directed Punjab DGP, Dinkar Gupta, to ensure strict implementation of the night curfew. 

  • Centre punishing AAP government for supporting farmers, says Kejriwal in Haryana rally

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the BJP-led government at the Centre is punishing the AAP government in the national capital for supporting the farmers’ agitation by giving powers in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor.

    Addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat at Jind in Haryana, he said, “The Union government is punishing my government by bringing the GNCTD (Amendment) Bill. They have brought this bill to puni s h Kejriwal.”

    “They are punishing us for supporting farmers’ agitation by handing power to the L-G instead of the elected government. What kind of law is this?” he asked stating that his party would have no power despite winning 62 seats.

    Kejriwal said he was ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of farmers who are agitating against the three farm laws.

    “Our 300 farmers have laid down their lives. We will keep supporting this agitation even if Kejriwal dies. Whatever punishment the central government wants to give me, I do not care. I am with the farmers. I am their younger brother and son. I am not afraid even if the Centre further reduces the powers of my government.”

    Kejriwal stated that it was the responsibility of every Indian who loves his country to support farmers’ agitation.

    “A person who is with this agitation is a patriot and a one who is against is a traitor,” he said. Kejriwal also listed out development works carried out by his government in the national capital while targeting the BJP.

    “BJP is the most powerful party at present but it could not make a single school or hospital. I want to tell the BJP that for building schools and colleges and serving people, there is no need for power. There is a need for intent. You have so many powers but your intention is wrong. Kejriwal does not have power but our intent is clean,” he said.

    Paying tributes to the farmers who have lost their lives during the agitation, Kejriwal said, “It is our responsibility that their sacrifice does not go in vain.”

    The AAP leader said that he was pressurised by the Centre to convert stadiums into jails for farmers but he withstood the pressure and rejected their request.

    “The BJP led-central government conspired to put farmers coming to Delhi into nine stadiums to be converted into jails. But we were fortunate as the law stated that the chief minister holds the power to convert the stadiums into jail.”

    “The Centre sent me a file and started pressuring me by saying there will be law and order issue. They even threatened of taking away my power. But I did not listen and rejected the file,” he said.

    ‘AAP cheating Delhi people’

    The BJP on Sunday hit out at AAP in Delhi alleging that it did not build any hospital and flyover during its rule between 2015 and 2019.

    Citing replies to two RTI queries filed in 2019 by Tejpal Singh, BJP spokesperson Anil Baluni said that by making “false” claims about development works, the AAP has cheated people of the national capital.

  • ‘Time to fight united against BJP’s attack on democracy’: Mamata writes letter to Opposition

    By Online Desk
    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to the Opposition leaders on Wednesday asking them to put a ‘united and effective’ struggle against BJP.

    The letter which talks about the ‘assaults’ by BJP and the Centre on democracy, constitutional federalism was written to all Opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Naveen Patnaik.

    The three page letter comes a day before West Bengal is all set to go for the second phase of polls on Thursday.

    In her letter, Mamata wrote that she ‘strongly believes that the time has come for a united and effective struggle against BJP’s attacks on democracy and Constitution.’The letter talks about the recently passed National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill which gives more power to the Lt. Governor in the Capital over the elected Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government.

    Mamata Banerjee writes to leaders incl Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Naveen Patnaik stating, “I strongly believe that the time has come for a united & effective struggle against BJP’s attacks on democracy & Constitution” pic.twitter.com/OLp7tDm9pU
    — ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2021

    “You will agree that what BJP has done in Delhi is not an exception, but is increasingly becoming the rule,” wrote Mamata in the letter. 

    “The Lt Governor has been made the undeclared Viceroy of Delhi, acting as a proxy for the home minister and the prime minister,” she said.

    ​All eyes are on battleground Nandigram with the chief minister Banerjee engaged in a fierce contest with her protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP.

    (Inputs from ANI)

  • AAP leaders violated coronavirus rules at Moga rally, alleges Punjab CM

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday accused the AAP leadership of violating coronavirus rules at a rally in Moga, saying it showed how little they care about people of the state while they have imposed a hefty fine for not wearing a face mask in Delhi.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had held a Kisan Maha Sammelan in Moga’s Baghapurana on Sunday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressing the gathering, days after the Punjab government announced a slew of measures to tackle the surge in virus cases.

    The Congress too had decided not hold any political gathering for the next two weeks with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urging political parties to adhere to gathering restrictions.

    However, AAP’s Punjab unit had said it would go ahead with its planned event and follow all necessary coronavirus guidelines.

    Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Monday criticised Kejriwal for not ensuring COVID-appropriate behaviour during the Moga rally.

    Amarinder Singh alleged that the AAP leadership was seen without masks, terming it as “the height of irresponsibility”.

    It showed how little Kejriwal and his party cared about the people of Punjab, Amarinder Singh said in a statement.

    “Back in Delhi, they are imposing hefty fines for not wearing masks and here they go about shamelessly uncaring about COVID safety protocols,” he said.

    Amarinder Singh further said while the state Congress had put all political rallies on hold due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the fact that Kejriwal failed to do so showed that his only interest in Punjab was to grab power by hook or by crook.

    Meanwhile, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar tweeted, “Height of duplicity-While@Aam Aadmi Party leadership openly flouted & mocked COVID-19 rules at their rally in Punjab yesterday, their government in Delhi charges a fine of Rs 2,000 from people for not wearing a mask.”

    At the Moga event, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had slammed the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, accusing it of not honouring its polls promises and urging people to “take a revenge” in the 2022 Assembly polls.

    Referring to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 introduced by the Centre in Parliament, Kejriwal had claimed his government in Delhi is being punished for supporting farmers’ demands.

    The Bill aims at snatching away powers of the Delhi CM, Kejriwal had said, adding that his party would always stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers agitating against the Centre’s three farm laws.

  • Amarinder trashes Kejriwal’s allegation of failing to fulfil poll promises in Punjab

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday trashed his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation that the Congress government in Punjab had failed to fulfil its poll promises.

    Kejriwal had on Sunday slammed the Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab, alleging “not even a single promise had been honoured” in the last four years and asked people to “take a revenge” in the 2022 assembly polls for “deceiving” them.

    Reacting to his allegation, Singh said it was ridiculous to compare his government’s track record of over 84 per cent promises implemented “with the Delhi government’s pathetic track record of less than 25 per cent of the AAP’s 2015 manifesto commitments fulfilled in 2020”.

    “If this is the Delhi model you (Kejriwal) are promising for Punjab, then my people are better off without it,” he said in a statement.

    “Instead of indulging in deceitful claims and talking of ‘badla’ (revenge), Kejriwal should focus on Delhi, which is still waiting for him to fulfil even 50 per cent of his poll promises,” Singh remarked.

    Stating that his party had kept each promise made with the residents of Delhi and provided 24-hours power supply with zero bill and improved health and education services, Kejriwal had asked if these were possible in the national capital then why cannot in Punjab.

    Kejriwal had addressed a ‘Kisan Maha Sammelan’ organised by the Aam Aadmi Party at Punjab’s Moga district on Sunday.

    Singh slammed the AAP leader’s “shameless lies as a re-run of the spree of false promises and cheap attacks on the Congress he had resorted to back in the 2017 polls”.

    “Kejriwal’s barefaced lies will be exposed again, just as they had been exposed in the 2017 Assembly polls,” he said, adding that “Punjab knows what a first-rate liar and master of deceit you (Kejriwal) are”.

    Data available in the public domain shows the AAP’s wretched credentials when it comes to delivering on its promises, alleged the Punjab chief minister, pointing to what he called a plethora of independent analyses ahead of the 2020 Delhi Assembly polls, which had showed that at the end of its five-year term, the Kejriwal government had fulfilled “only 11 of its 70 promises”.

    “It is a matter of record that despite Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken’s repeated questioning on the issue, the AAP government in Delhi had failed to show its progress on its eight-lakh jobs’ promise of 2015.

    “Even the much-touted Delhi Skill Mission had failed to take off,” Singh pointed out, adding that “as per figures listed in one of the analysis, the Kejriwal government had given jobs to 102 people in 2016, 66 people in 2017, and 46 people until April 2018”.

    “You really have no shame if you can come and criticise my government’s employment record with such data on Delhi,” he added.

    In contrast to the AAP government in Delhi, Singh said the Congress government in Punjab had provided 16.29 lakh jobs/self-employment opportunities under the ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar Mission’, with 58,709 in the government sector alone.

    He said during the last year of its current term, the Punjab government would be recruiting another one lakh people to fill existing vacancies in government jobs.

    Citing survey of the government of India and its agencies, Singh pointed out that as per the report on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2018-19) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, as against Delhi’s unemployment rate of 8.0 per cent, Punjab had 7.2 per cent unemployment, which was even lower than the national average.

    “Apparently, your Punjab leaders, as always, failed to give you correct inputs before you came to Punjab, or perhaps they deliberately misled you,” the chief minister said, taking a dig at Kejriwal over his promises to the people of the state.

    Singh also did not spare Kejriwal over his “will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws” comment.

    “Everyone knows who you are standing with on this issue,” quipped the chief minister, reminding the AAP leader that his government in Delhi had already implemented one of the farm laws.

    “Even in Punjab, the AAP had taken a U-turn on the issue,” he pointed out, asking the Delhi chief minister to “stop poking his nose in his state’s affairs, which he is capable of handling much better than he (Kejriwal) is doing in the national capital”.

  • Not even single promise kept by Amarinder government, take revenge in polls: Kejriwal to people

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday slammed the Punjab government, alleging that “not even a single promise has been honoured” in the past four years by it and asked people to “take a revenge” in the 2022 Assembly polls.

    Addressing a Kisan Maha Sammelan held by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Punjab’s Moga, he told people that his party will always stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws.

    He also took on the Centre over the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, alleging that the BJP-led government wants to “snatch power” from the Chief Minister of Delhi.

    Kejriwal earlier arrived at Amritsar and then moved to Baghapurana in Moga for the event.

    He said four years ago when the Assembly elections were held, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh made “big promises”.

    “Captain Sahib had said smartphones will be given. Who got smartphones just raise your hands and show smartphones? Captain Sahib had said farmers’ loan will be waived. Whose loan has been waived just raise your hands,” asked Kejriwal taking a dig at the Punjab CM.

    Amarinder Singh had promised job for every household, Kejriwal said, asking the gathering who got employment.

    Kejriwal also showed an unemployment allowance card, saying it was given by the Congress to 20 lakh youngsters while promising jobs for each household.

    “He (Amarinder) had said vote for me and I will give you jobs if voted to power. Today the youth are running pillar to post with these cards,” alleged Kejriwal.

    Kejriwal urged people not to throw away the jobs cards, saying it will remind them how Amarinder Singh took their votes after “lying” to them.

    “I want to ask you if somebody deceives you, then what do you do? Usse se badla lete hain (revenge is taken from him). Captain Sahib has deceived you. Will revenge be taken from him after one year or not,” he asked apparently referring to the Assembly polls next year.

    “He deceived the entire Punjab. Neither anyone was given a job nor anyone’s loan was waived,” he alleged, adding that “not even a single promise was fulfilled” by the chief minister.

    Kejriwal promised that if voted to power, jobs will be given to those who have the employment card.

    “Until the job is given, unemployment allowance will be given,” he promised.

    Kejriwal also claimed that his party honoured each promise made with residents of the national capital.

    “In Delhi, there is no power cut. Power is given 24 hours a day. Seventy-three per cent people in Delhi do not receive electricity bills. It is a miracle. And in Punjab, there is a huge power bill. If the electricity bill is zero and its supply is 24 hours, should not the bill in Punjab be zero as well. If it is possible in Delhi then why cannot in Punjab,” asked Kejriwal.

    He also talked about bringing improvement in the condition of government schools.

    “Should not the condition of Punjab schools be improved,” he asked.

    He also cited improvement in the condition of government-run hospitals in Delhi, saying no money is charged for treatment and medicines.

    He exhorted party workers to visit each village and street to prepare a dream for a “New Punjab”.

    “We want a Punjab where every farmer, worker, trader and arhtiya is happy,” he said expressing confidence that AAP would form the next government in the state.

    Kejriwal further said he wanted to salute Punjab farmers for opposing the Centre’s farm laws.

    “The fire which you ignited first in Punjab has now spread across the country,” he said.

    Kejriwal alleged that after the agitating farmers reached the Delhi borders, the Modi-led government had “planned” to put all of them at nine stadiums by converting these into jails.

    Despite pressure on his government, Kejriwal said he rejected the Delhi Police request as farmers’ demands are justified and their agitation was non-violent.

    They (Centre) got so angry with me and this is the result of which the Modi government last week brought a law in Parliament, aimed at taking away powers of the Delhi CM, Kejriwal said.

    “The powers will be with the Lieutenant Governor. The LG will take all decisions. They want to snatch all our powers,” he alleged.

    “Do not worry. I know how to deal with them and I have been fighting them for the past six years. I will not let them take any action against farmers till I am there,” he said, alleging that the Centre tried to defame the farmers’ agitation by calling them ‘Khalistanis’ and “terrorists”.

  • Will go ahead with Kisan Maha Sammelan in Moga and follow necessary COVID guidelines: AAP

    Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal is to address the Sammelan being held in support of the farmers.

  • Mamata terms Central Bill to give more power to L-G ‘surgical strike’; extends support to Delhi CM

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Terming a Bill brought by the Centre to give overarching powers to Lieutenant Governor a “surgical strike” on India’s federal structure, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal extending her support in opposing it.

    In her letter to Kejriwal on Wednesday, Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress chief, said she will write to all non-BJP chief ministers and political parties opposing the saffron party to seek their support for him over the issue.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on Monday.

    According to the Bill, the “government” in the city would mean the “Lieutenant Governor” in the context of any law made by the legislative assembly.

    The Bill also makes it mandatory for the Delhi government to take the opinion of the L-G before any executive action.

    Banerjee said she was in full solidarity with Kejriwal and his principled opposition to the Centre’s “devious, anti-democratic and anti-Constitution move to disempower the Delhi Government and reduce the status of Delhi’s chief minister to a subordinate to the Lieutenant Governor”.

    “I strongly believe that the time has come for a united and effective fight against the BJP’s attacks on democracy and the Constitution, especially with regard to its plans to dilute the powers of state governments and downgrade them to mere municipalities.

    “The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which the BJP government at the Centre has introduced in the Lok Sabha, is a surgical strike on the federal structure of the Indian Republic as enshrined in the Constitution,” Banerjee said.

    She added that but for her commitments in the ongoing campaign for the Assembly elections in Bengal, she would have personally come to Delhi to express her support and solidarity with Kejriwal.

    “I wish you success in your struggle. Your struggle is my struggle,” she said.

    Banerjee alleged that the Bill makes a “mockery” of the letter and spirit of democracy by disempowering the Delhi government, which is elected by the people of the national capital.

    She also pointed out that the Bill was in violation of the verdict by a five-judge Supreme Court bench in 2018, which “upheld the pre-eminence of Delhi’s elected government in all matters other than police, public order and land”.

    “I am not at all surprised by the BJP’s move to strip away the legitimate powers of the Delhi Government and make the chief minister subservient to the Lieutenant Governor, who is an appointee of the Centre.

    “It is evident to all that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have not been able to stomach the humiliating defeat the BJP suffered at the hands of the Aam Admi Party in both 2014 and 2019 assembly elections.

    They want to govern Delhi by proxy, which is the real purpose of the proposed amendments to the GNCTD Act,” she said.

    The TMC chief also said that what the saffron party was trying to do in Delhi has been done in states that are governed by non-BJP parties.

    “In many states, including in West Bengal, governors have been functioning like BJP’s office bearers and not as neutral Constitutional authorities,” Banerjee alleged.

  • BJP, Congress afraid of people who voted for AAP in Gujarat, says Arvind Kejriwal

    By ANI
    SURAT: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that BJP and Congress are afraid of the people who voted for the AAP in the local body polls in Gujarat.

    “I have been listening to statements of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, over the past few days after the results. They are perturbed and a little scared. We have to understand that they are not scared of you or AAP. They are scared of people who voted for you,” Kejriwal said addressing the newly elected corporators in Surat.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met newly elected corporators of the party and its volunteers here, after getting a rise in the local body elections in the state.

    Addressing the event, Arvind Kejriwal asked the reason of being BJP always the ruling party in the state for the last 25 years.

    “Why has BJP been governing here for the last 25 years? It is not because of they are doing great but because there is no opposition. People of the state are facing a lot of issues but when they saw option (AAP) against the BJP, they applauded you (by making AAP win),” he said.

    The BJP on February 23 put up a spectacular performance in the Gujarat municipal corporation elections improving its numbers over the 2016 polls and nearly decimating the Congress. The party has retained power in all municipal corporations, which went to the polls. The performance appears all the more credible as BJP has been in power in the state for the last 25 years.

    Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up a fight in Surat where it won 27 seats in its first outing. The BJP secured 93 out of the 120 seats in Surat, while the AAP secured 27. Congress and other parties did not win any seats.