News Analysis India

Tag: Arvind Kejriwal

  • AAP releases 4th list of 12 candidates for Gujarat Assembly polls; 41 seats covered so far

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its fourth list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, giving tickets to people from a cross-section of society, including teachers, businesspersons and tribals.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal exhorted his party candidates to “fight hard” in the upcoming elections, saying the people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on those joining the fray from the AAP this time.

    “Many congratulations to all the new AAP candidates for the Gujarat elections. Fight the election hard. This time, people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on you only,” the party’s national convenor said in a tweet in Hindi.

    The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier announced 29 candidates for the Assembly polls in the BJP-ruled state in the end of the year.

    With the latest list, the Delhi-headquartered party, which seeks to contest on all the 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat, has so far announced 41 candidates.

    The fourth list of candidates covers 12 seats, two of which are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) — Garbada and Gandevi.

    Two out of these 12 seats were won by the Congress in 2017, while 10 were bagged by the BJP.

    Two of these dozen seats — Amraiwadi and Vatva — are in Ahmedabad city, while one — Limbayat — is in Surat city.

    Among the candidates in the latest list are teachers, businessmen and social workers, Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia said.

    The candidate list includes Nirmalsinh Parmar for Himatnagar seat, who is a retired teacher, while Doulat Patel for Gandhinagar (South) is a businessman.

    Kuldeep Vaghela (Sanand seat) is an industrialist, Bipil Patel (Vatva) sells garments and Bharat Patel (Amraiwadi) is an AAP worker who has contested the corporation election in the past, Italia told reporters.

    Among other candidates, Ramjibhai Chudasama (Keshod) is a leader from the Koli community who was in the past associated with the Congress.

    Natwarsinh Rathod (Thasra, Kheda district) has worked as a district panchayat member, while Takhatsinh Solanki (Shehra, Panchmahal district) is a popular leader in the region, Italia said.

    Dinesh Baria (Kalol, Panchmahal district) is an arts teacher while Shailesh Bhabhor (Garbada) is an AAP worker.

    Pankaj Tayde (Limbayat, Surat) is a businessman and social worker while Pankaj Patel (Gandevi) is a young tribal leader, the AAP leader said.

    The AAP, which rules Punjab and Delhi, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades now.

    AAP convener Kejriwal has been aggressively campaigning in the state, holding rallies and town halls and making a host of pre-poll “guarantees”, including free electricity and better education and healthcare facilities, to woo voters.

    The Opposition Congress and the BJP have yet to release their lists of nominees.

    The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced three candidates.

    NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its fourth list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, giving tickets to people from a cross-section of society, including teachers, businesspersons and tribals.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal exhorted his party candidates to “fight hard” in the upcoming elections, saying the people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on those joining the fray from the AAP this time.

    “Many congratulations to all the new AAP candidates for the Gujarat elections. Fight the election hard. This time, people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on you only,” the party’s national convenor said in a tweet in Hindi.

    The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier announced 29 candidates for the Assembly polls in the BJP-ruled state in the end of the year.

    With the latest list, the Delhi-headquartered party, which seeks to contest on all the 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat, has so far announced 41 candidates.

    The fourth list of candidates covers 12 seats, two of which are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) — Garbada and Gandevi.

    Two out of these 12 seats were won by the Congress in 2017, while 10 were bagged by the BJP.

    Two of these dozen seats — Amraiwadi and Vatva — are in Ahmedabad city, while one — Limbayat — is in Surat city.

    Among the candidates in the latest list are teachers, businessmen and social workers, Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia said.

    The candidate list includes Nirmalsinh Parmar for Himatnagar seat, who is a retired teacher, while Doulat Patel for Gandhinagar (South) is a businessman.

    Kuldeep Vaghela (Sanand seat) is an industrialist, Bipil Patel (Vatva) sells garments and Bharat Patel (Amraiwadi) is an AAP worker who has contested the corporation election in the past, Italia told reporters.

    Among other candidates, Ramjibhai Chudasama (Keshod) is a leader from the Koli community who was in the past associated with the Congress.

    Natwarsinh Rathod (Thasra, Kheda district) has worked as a district panchayat member, while Takhatsinh Solanki (Shehra, Panchmahal district) is a popular leader in the region, Italia said.

    Dinesh Baria (Kalol, Panchmahal district) is an arts teacher while Shailesh Bhabhor (Garbada) is an AAP worker.

    Pankaj Tayde (Limbayat, Surat) is a businessman and social worker while Pankaj Patel (Gandevi) is a young tribal leader, the AAP leader said.

    The AAP, which rules Punjab and Delhi, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades now.

    AAP convener Kejriwal has been aggressively campaigning in the state, holding rallies and town halls and making a host of pre-poll “guarantees”, including free electricity and better education and healthcare facilities, to woo voters.

    The Opposition Congress and the BJP have yet to release their lists of nominees.

    The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced three candidates.

  • Will repatriate illegal money from Swiss banks, says Kejriwal, promises free and ‘unlimited’ healthcare

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged those involved in corruption under the BJP government in Gujarat have parked their money in “Swiss banks” and the AAP will bring it back if it is voted to power in the state.

    He also promised the construction of 20,000 mohalla clinics on the lines of Delhi across Gujarat, government-run schools in each village of the state, and also assured “free and unlimited” healthcare for all.

    On the first day of his two-day visit to the state, where Assembly elections are due in December this year, Kejriwal claimed a “secret IB report” of the BJP government has suggested that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will win the elections with a huge majority.

    Campaigning for AAP with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal addressed two rallies at Gandhidham town in Kutch district and in Junagadh.

    Addressing a rally in Gandhidham, the AAP national convener said the new government will ensure that Narmada water reaches every corner of the Kutch district.

    Kejriwal promised to provide free and unlimited healthcare, including medicines, tests, and surgeries, to all residents of Gujarat, irrespective of their financial status.

    “We will build 20,000 mohalla clinics across Gujarat. Be it rich or poor, the people of Gujarat will be given free treatment. Everything will be free, be it medicines, tests or operation, even if it costs Rs 20 lakh,” said Kejriwal in Junagadh.

    On the lines of Delhi, private schools in Gujarat will be audited if AAP comes to power and excess money collected by schools will be returned to the people, he said.

    Attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat, Kejriwal alleged those involved in corruption under BJP have parked their illegal money in banks in Swiss banks.

    “When people demand something, they (BJP government and leaders) say there is no money. Where does the money go when they collect crores and crores through various taxes? It goes into Swiss banks. Each one of them owns more than 10 bungalows. These netas have amassed enormous wealth,” said the AAP leader.

    “If AAP forms a government, it will not let any minister or MLA indulge in corruption. We will bring back all the (black) money parked in Swiss banks,” said Kejriwal, adding that AAP will make electricity free by saving money through plugging corruption.

    Kejriwal also claimed that a “secret IB report” of the BJP government has suggested that AAP will win the elections with a huge majority.

    In Gandhidham, Kejriwal claimed students of government-run schools belonging to poor families in Delhi are securing admissions in medical and engineering courses.

    “They will lift their families out of poverty after getting well-paying jobs. But in Gujarat, I have learnt the ruling BJP is shutting down government schools in Kutch,” he said.

    “I promise that AAP will build government schools in every village of Gujarat after coming to power. We will also bring Narmada water to every corner of the Kutch region. Just give one chance to AAP for the sake of your children’s future,” the AAP leader said.

    If voted to power, AAP will build a government-run hospital in each of the 33 districts in Gujarat to provide free and quality treatment to people.

    Kejriwal said the chief minister of Gujarat and his ministers were getting 5,000 units and 4,000 units, respectively, of electricity free per month but the state government here was abusing him for promising 300 units free to common citizens.

    Mann said 74 lakh families in Punjab have electricity meters in their homes, and 51 lakh of these have received electricity bills with no amount to pay, popularly called ‘zero electricity bills’.

    “The Delhi government saved Rs 150 crore on the construction of a bridge and spent that money on distributing free medicines to the needy people. Is that revdi? If that is the case, then I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi who sold the papad (freebie promise) of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of citizens,” Mann added.

    AHMEDABAD: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged those involved in corruption under the BJP government in Gujarat have parked their money in “Swiss banks” and the AAP will bring it back if it is voted to power in the state.

    He also promised the construction of 20,000 mohalla clinics on the lines of Delhi across Gujarat, government-run schools in each village of the state, and also assured “free and unlimited” healthcare for all.

    On the first day of his two-day visit to the state, where Assembly elections are due in December this year, Kejriwal claimed a “secret IB report” of the BJP government has suggested that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will win the elections with a huge majority.

    Campaigning for AAP with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal addressed two rallies at Gandhidham town in Kutch district and in Junagadh.

    Addressing a rally in Gandhidham, the AAP national convener said the new government will ensure that Narmada water reaches every corner of the Kutch district.

    Kejriwal promised to provide free and unlimited healthcare, including medicines, tests, and surgeries, to all residents of Gujarat, irrespective of their financial status.

    “We will build 20,000 mohalla clinics across Gujarat. Be it rich or poor, the people of Gujarat will be given free treatment. Everything will be free, be it medicines, tests or operation, even if it costs Rs 20 lakh,” said Kejriwal in Junagadh.

    On the lines of Delhi, private schools in Gujarat will be audited if AAP comes to power and excess money collected by schools will be returned to the people, he said.

    Attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat, Kejriwal alleged those involved in corruption under BJP have parked their illegal money in banks in Swiss banks.

    “When people demand something, they (BJP government and leaders) say there is no money. Where does the money go when they collect crores and crores through various taxes? It goes into Swiss banks. Each one of them owns more than 10 bungalows. These netas have amassed enormous wealth,” said the AAP leader.

    “If AAP forms a government, it will not let any minister or MLA indulge in corruption. We will bring back all the (black) money parked in Swiss banks,” said Kejriwal, adding that AAP will make electricity free by saving money through plugging corruption.

    Kejriwal also claimed that a “secret IB report” of the BJP government has suggested that AAP will win the elections with a huge majority.

    In Gandhidham, Kejriwal claimed students of government-run schools belonging to poor families in Delhi are securing admissions in medical and engineering courses.

    “They will lift their families out of poverty after getting well-paying jobs. But in Gujarat, I have learnt the ruling BJP is shutting down government schools in Kutch,” he said.

    “I promise that AAP will build government schools in every village of Gujarat after coming to power. We will also bring Narmada water to every corner of the Kutch region. Just give one chance to AAP for the sake of your children’s future,” the AAP leader said.

    If voted to power, AAP will build a government-run hospital in each of the 33 districts in Gujarat to provide free and quality treatment to people.

    Kejriwal said the chief minister of Gujarat and his ministers were getting 5,000 units and 4,000 units, respectively, of electricity free per month but the state government here was abusing him for promising 300 units free to common citizens.

    Mann said 74 lakh families in Punjab have electricity meters in their homes, and 51 lakh of these have received electricity bills with no amount to pay, popularly called ‘zero electricity bills’.

    “The Delhi government saved Rs 150 crore on the construction of a bridge and spent that money on distributing free medicines to the needy people. Is that revdi? If that is the case, then I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi who sold the papad (freebie promise) of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of citizens,” Mann added.

  • Kejriwal says people will give an answer to BJP, Congress in Assembly polls

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday targeted the ruling BJP as well as the Congress in Gujarat, where Assembly elections are due to be held in December this year. Kejriwal was addressing a gathering of youth in Ahmedabad, where he was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

    The Delhi Chief Minister told the attendees, “I saw a message shared in a WhatsApp group that said, ‘If you vote for Congress, then Sonia Gandhi’s son will prosper. If you vote for BJP, Amit Shah’s son will prosper. If you vote for AAP, then every single child of Gujarat will prosper.”

    He added: “They compare me with a terrorist. Our events got cancelled at the last moment at 12 places. For this hooliganism, people of Gujarat will give an answer.” He hit out at the Opposition, calling the Congress “even worse”, and presenting the AAP as an alternative. He said: “Leaders of both the BJP and Congress have stolen so much public money that if their properties are sold, the entire debt of Gujarat can be paid.”

    Mann also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, “We do not just speak but listen to others as well, whereas the BJP just talks. They should listen to the public’s ‘mann ki baat’. But they have no habit of listening.” Kejriwal promised 10 lakh government jobs by filling teachers’ posts in schools, besides opening of new colleges and mohalla clinics, and providing more doctors and healthcare staff in hospitals, among others. He added that if the AAP comes to power in Gujarat, it will curb corruption.

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday targeted the ruling BJP as well as the Congress in Gujarat, where Assembly elections are due to be held in December this year. Kejriwal was addressing a gathering of youth in Ahmedabad, where he was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

    The Delhi Chief Minister told the attendees, “I saw a message shared in a WhatsApp group that said, ‘If you vote for Congress, then Sonia Gandhi’s son will prosper. If you vote for BJP, Amit Shah’s son will prosper. If you vote for AAP, then every single child of Gujarat will prosper.”

    He added: “They compare me with a terrorist. Our events got cancelled at the last moment at 12 places. For this hooliganism, people of Gujarat will give an answer.” He hit out at the Opposition, calling the Congress “even worse”, and presenting the AAP as an alternative. He said: “Leaders of both the BJP and Congress have stolen so much public money that if their properties are sold, the entire debt of Gujarat can be paid.”

    Mann also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, “We do not just speak but listen to others as well, whereas the BJP just talks. They should listen to the public’s ‘mann ki baat’. But they have no habit of listening.” Kejriwal promised 10 lakh government jobs by filling teachers’ posts in schools, besides opening of new colleges and mohalla clinics, and providing more doctors and healthcare staff in hospitals, among others. He added that if the AAP comes to power in Gujarat, it will curb corruption.

  • Ex-IPS officers write to President against Kejriwal’s ‘boorish’ behaviour with police personnel 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: More than two dozen retired IPS officers have written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to “counsel” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against his “high-headed and boorish behaviour” with police personnel, prompting the AAP to allege that it is the handiwork of the BJP.

    The letter signed by several former state police chiefs cited a recent spat involving Kejriwal and Gujarat Police officials over the former’s insistence to ride an autorickshaw during his poll campaigning in the state and said the AAP leader’s “words and actions” created an “unfair spectacle” of the police force. 

    In a statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prospects in the Gujarat Assembly polls, slated to be held later this year, are “very bad”, which is why the letter was written.

    “Obviously, the BJP is behind this letter. The BJP’s prospects in Gujarat in the forthcoming elections are very bad. Their own leaders lack any mass appeal and are completely discredited. That is why the BJP has to now sought the help of some retired police officers.

    The AAP is gaining ground exponentially and the BJP is clueless on how to tackle the AAP, which is why such a letter has been written,” the statement said.

    Former Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid, who is one of the signatories to the letter, said, “As experienced police officers, we know that a politician, especially one holding a post like that of a chief Minister, is free to conduct his business as he wishes but he should also understand that police are duty-bound to protect him and should not be needlessly dragged into politics.

    “Through his “unpleasant words and actions”, Kejriwal “intended to paint himself as a political martyr,” the letter said, adding that however, in doing so, he “unfairly created a spectacle of the police force” not only in Gujarat, but throughout the country.

    “We, therefore, humbly request you to intervene as the Head of State and counsel Mr Kejriwal against such high-headed and boorish behaviour that is intended to undermine the police force of our country,” the letter read.

    The AAP national convenor is involved in intense campaigning in poll-bound Gujarat, which is ruled by the BJP.

    AAP leaders, led by Kejriwal, have launched a no-holds-barred attack on the saffron party ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls.

    Citing the Gujarat incident, the letter written to Murmu by the retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officers said the police officials enjoined with the duty of providing security to the chief minister acceded to his request to go to an autorickshaw driver’s home in his autorickshaw.

    In order to ensure that the requisite level of security was maintained and to prevent any lapses in the chief minister’s safety, the police official concerned said he would accompany Kejriwal to the location, it said.

    “However, in response to the police official’s prudent suggestion, Mr Kejriwal made certain distasteful and inconsiderate remarks.

    These curt remarks have caused deep injury to the police force,” the letter claimed.

    As Kejriwal is the chief minister of the country’s capital city, police were duty-bound to ensure his safety, it said.

    “It was disheartening to note that in order to score a political brownie point, Mr Kejriwal conducted himself in a manner that utterly belittled the police officers for diligently obeying their duties,” it added.

    The letter also alleged that Kejriwal “unfortunately” was involved in such incidents earlier as well.

    Ahead of the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, the AAP leader had raised a “similar grievance” against the state police, demanding complete withdrawal of his security, it said.

    Soon after the campaigning concluded, in a “completely conflicting stance”, Kejriwal cited “threat perception” and alleged that he was not given adequate protection, the letter added.

    NEW DELHI: More than two dozen retired IPS officers have written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to “counsel” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against his “high-headed and boorish behaviour” with police personnel, prompting the AAP to allege that it is the handiwork of the BJP.

    The letter signed by several former state police chiefs cited a recent spat involving Kejriwal and Gujarat Police officials over the former’s insistence to ride an autorickshaw during his poll campaigning in the state and said the AAP leader’s “words and actions” created an “unfair spectacle” of the police force. 

    In a statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prospects in the Gujarat Assembly polls, slated to be held later this year, are “very bad”, which is why the letter was written.

    “Obviously, the BJP is behind this letter. The BJP’s prospects in Gujarat in the forthcoming elections are very bad. Their own leaders lack any mass appeal and are completely discredited. That is why the BJP has to now sought the help of some retired police officers.

    The AAP is gaining ground exponentially and the BJP is clueless on how to tackle the AAP, which is why such a letter has been written,” the statement said.

    Former Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid, who is one of the signatories to the letter, said, “As experienced police officers, we know that a politician, especially one holding a post like that of a chief Minister, is free to conduct his business as he wishes but he should also understand that police are duty-bound to protect him and should not be needlessly dragged into politics.

    “Through his “unpleasant words and actions”, Kejriwal “intended to paint himself as a political martyr,” the letter said, adding that however, in doing so, he “unfairly created a spectacle of the police force” not only in Gujarat, but throughout the country.

    “We, therefore, humbly request you to intervene as the Head of State and counsel Mr Kejriwal against such high-headed and boorish behaviour that is intended to undermine the police force of our country,” the letter read.

    The AAP national convenor is involved in intense campaigning in poll-bound Gujarat, which is ruled by the BJP.

    AAP leaders, led by Kejriwal, have launched a no-holds-barred attack on the saffron party ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls.

    Citing the Gujarat incident, the letter written to Murmu by the retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officers said the police officials enjoined with the duty of providing security to the chief minister acceded to his request to go to an autorickshaw driver’s home in his autorickshaw.

    In order to ensure that the requisite level of security was maintained and to prevent any lapses in the chief minister’s safety, the police official concerned said he would accompany Kejriwal to the location, it said.

    “However, in response to the police official’s prudent suggestion, Mr Kejriwal made certain distasteful and inconsiderate remarks.

    These curt remarks have caused deep injury to the police force,” the letter claimed.

    As Kejriwal is the chief minister of the country’s capital city, police were duty-bound to ensure his safety, it said.

    “It was disheartening to note that in order to score a political brownie point, Mr Kejriwal conducted himself in a manner that utterly belittled the police officers for diligently obeying their duties,” it added.

    The letter also alleged that Kejriwal “unfortunately” was involved in such incidents earlier as well.

    Ahead of the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, the AAP leader had raised a “similar grievance” against the state police, demanding complete withdrawal of his security, it said.

    Soon after the campaigning concluded, in a “completely conflicting stance”, Kejriwal cited “threat perception” and alleged that he was not given adequate protection, the letter added.

  • ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: CPM softens stand against Congress, Kejriwal attacks Rahul once again

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday took a potshot at the Congress, saying Rahul Gandhi was “enough” to weaken it, rejecting allegations the AAP was acting as a B-team of the BJP and weakening the Congress.

    The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor also sought to maintain distance from the ongoing bid to form a grand opposition alliance to keep the BJP at bay in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    Alliance politics should be left to those who are working on it, Kejriwal said, adding he did not understand it.

    The Delhi chief minister was replying to questions at a townhall event organised by NDTV.

    “Am I needed to weaken the Congress? Isn’t Rahul Gandhi enough,” he quipped when asked to comment on allegations levelled by political rivals that his AAP was weakening the Congress and acting as a B-team of the BJP to help the saffron party win elections.

    On the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ of the Congress, Kejriwal said, “Let them do it. Everyone should do good work. Best of luck (to Congress).”

    On efforts being made by opposition leaders, including his Bihar counterpart and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, to form a grand alliance of non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi chief minister said India would not become the number one country in the world “by bringing politicians together”.

    India will become number one in the world only with the alliance of 130 crore people of the country, he added.

    “I am not against anybody. But I do not understand this politics of alliance. Leave this politics to them,” Kejriwal said.

    “If you have to build schools, hospitals, roads or fix electricity-related problems, call me. I will fix the problem as I am an IIT engineer,” he added.

    Kejriwal said India can be made number one in the world within five years if free and quality education was offered to students, free and good healthcare services made available to citizens and every youngster in the country given a job.

    Asked whether such things would happen if the AAP came to power at the Centre and he became the prime minister, Kejriwal said, “In a democracy, people take decisions. When all of them come together, they will decide.”

    “We have to overhaul the education system, healthcare system and provide employment to every youngster. And this is possible. We have shown by doing this in the past seven years (in Delhi). The country has only been looted and fooled in the past 75 years,” he added.

    Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said “going to people” is a good thing, softening his party’s critique of the Congress’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra”, while asserting that the Left party is part of the effort to bring “secular, democratic” outfits in the country together.

    The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had earlier lashed out at the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra for stipulating 18 days for Left-ruled Kerala.

    Briefing reporters on the decisions taken at a recently-concluded politburo meeting of the party, Yechury hailed the efforts of leaders such as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to unite the opposition parties.

    He, however remained ambivalent on the efforts of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    “Every party has the right to chart its on own path. Going to people is a good thing. The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) is also doing it in its own way,” Yechury said, adding that people will draw their own conclusion from the number of days the Congress has planned for the “yatra” in different states.

    The CPI(M) leader’s comments were in contrast to the party’s tweet on September 12, taking a dig at the Congress over its foot march that has kept 18 days for the Left-ruled Kerala and only two days in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.

    Yechury lashed out at senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who had dubbed the CPI(M) as the “A team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala in response to the Left party’s September 12 tweet.

    “Kerala has no BJP MLA and the credit goes to the Left parties. As far as team A or B is concerned, you can see what has happened in Goa,” Yechury said.

    Eight of the 11 Congress MLAs in Goa, including former chief minister Digambar Kamat, recently switched sides to join the BJP.

    Yechury said the CPI(M) shall join the efforts to bring together the secular, democratic political parties to defend the “Constitution, democracy, democratic rights and civil liberties of people and safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian republic”.

    “The central committee’s call for an all-India campaign from September 14 to September 24 against the burdens being imposed on people’s livelihood and to safeguard democracy, democratic rights, secularism and the Indian Constitution will be observed in various forms all across the country and will culminate in state-level public meetings and rallies,” he said.

    India is facing the highest unemployment rate in the last 45 years and it was the duty of the Congress party to strengthen the future of the youth and bring positivity to the minds of youngsters in the country, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday.

    Gandhi, who has embarked on the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ reached Neendakara in Kollam district today, the ninth day since he began his foot march on September 7.

    In a Facebook post, Gandhi said he had been meeting many youngsters during the march and was understanding their expectations from the government.

    If the country could make use of the youth power, the nation could grow very fast, he said.

    “But today the country has the highest unemployment in the last 45 years, educated youngsters are wandering in search of employment and disappointed. It is our duty and also the need of the time today to strengthen the future of our youth, bring positivity to them.”

    After the conclusion of the morning leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi has been engaged in discussions with cashew workers, entrepreneurs, trade unions and leaders of RSP and Forward Block, both allies of the Congress party.

    “I am meeting with many youngsters during our Bharat Jodo trip, understanding their expectations from the government, what kind of help they want from us to make their future bright and how many more possibilities can we create for them,” he said.

    Gandhi also noted that the purpose of the Yatra was to lend an ear to children, old, young, women, poor, farmers and tribals and to resolve their problems.

    “We are also succeeding, the youth are openly talking to us, walking together. I hope we all will unite our India and make it forward,” he added.

    The evening leg of the yatra will begin at 5 PM from Chavara bus stand and conclude at Karunagapally where the Bharat Jodo Yatra members will halt for the night.

    The 3,570 kilometres-long foot march started off from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10 evening, would traverse through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

    Gandhi on Friday resumed his party’s Bharat Jodo yatra, a 150-day-long foot march, after a day’s rest from Polayathodu in Kollam district of Kerala.

    Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, AICC general secretary in charge of Organisation, K C Venugopal, senior Congress leaders, Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, RSP leader N K Premachandran among others were seen walking besides Gandhi.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi will interact with cashew workers, entrepreneurs, and party allies during the halt of the yatra at Neendakara in the district.

    “After a day of well-earned rest, #BharatJodoYatra resumed from Kollam today at 6:45 am. It’ll cover 13 km this morning and halt at Neendakara on the seashore. Interactions with cashew workers, cashew entrepreneurs, trade union and leaders of RSP & Forward Block in the afternoon,” Ramesh tweeted.

    The foot march was launched from Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will cover 12 states and two Union territories.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10 evening, would traverse through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

    The yatra will enter Alappuzha on September 17 and pass through Ernakulam district on September 21 and 22 and reach Thrissur on September 23.

    The foot march will traverse through Palakkad on September 26 and 27 and enter Malappuram on September 28.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday took a potshot at the Congress, saying Rahul Gandhi was “enough” to weaken it, rejecting allegations the AAP was acting as a B-team of the BJP and weakening the Congress.

    The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor also sought to maintain distance from the ongoing bid to form a grand opposition alliance to keep the BJP at bay in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    Alliance politics should be left to those who are working on it, Kejriwal said, adding he did not understand it.

    The Delhi chief minister was replying to questions at a townhall event organised by NDTV.

    “Am I needed to weaken the Congress? Isn’t Rahul Gandhi enough,” he quipped when asked to comment on allegations levelled by political rivals that his AAP was weakening the Congress and acting as a B-team of the BJP to help the saffron party win elections.

    On the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ of the Congress, Kejriwal said, “Let them do it. Everyone should do good work. Best of luck (to Congress).”

    On efforts being made by opposition leaders, including his Bihar counterpart and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, to form a grand alliance of non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi chief minister said India would not become the number one country in the world “by bringing politicians together”.

    India will become number one in the world only with the alliance of 130 crore people of the country, he added.

    “I am not against anybody. But I do not understand this politics of alliance. Leave this politics to them,” Kejriwal said.

    “If you have to build schools, hospitals, roads or fix electricity-related problems, call me. I will fix the problem as I am an IIT engineer,” he added.

    Kejriwal said India can be made number one in the world within five years if free and quality education was offered to students, free and good healthcare services made available to citizens and every youngster in the country given a job.

    Asked whether such things would happen if the AAP came to power at the Centre and he became the prime minister, Kejriwal said, “In a democracy, people take decisions. When all of them come together, they will decide.”

    “We have to overhaul the education system, healthcare system and provide employment to every youngster. And this is possible. We have shown by doing this in the past seven years (in Delhi). The country has only been looted and fooled in the past 75 years,” he added.

    Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said “going to people” is a good thing, softening his party’s critique of the Congress’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra”, while asserting that the Left party is part of the effort to bring “secular, democratic” outfits in the country together.

    The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had earlier lashed out at the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra for stipulating 18 days for Left-ruled Kerala.

    Briefing reporters on the decisions taken at a recently-concluded politburo meeting of the party, Yechury hailed the efforts of leaders such as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to unite the opposition parties.

    He, however remained ambivalent on the efforts of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    “Every party has the right to chart its on own path. Going to people is a good thing. The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) is also doing it in its own way,” Yechury said, adding that people will draw their own conclusion from the number of days the Congress has planned for the “yatra” in different states.

    The CPI(M) leader’s comments were in contrast to the party’s tweet on September 12, taking a dig at the Congress over its foot march that has kept 18 days for the Left-ruled Kerala and only two days in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.

    Yechury lashed out at senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who had dubbed the CPI(M) as the “A team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala in response to the Left party’s September 12 tweet.

    “Kerala has no BJP MLA and the credit goes to the Left parties. As far as team A or B is concerned, you can see what has happened in Goa,” Yechury said.

    Eight of the 11 Congress MLAs in Goa, including former chief minister Digambar Kamat, recently switched sides to join the BJP.

    Yechury said the CPI(M) shall join the efforts to bring together the secular, democratic political parties to defend the “Constitution, democracy, democratic rights and civil liberties of people and safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian republic”.

    “The central committee’s call for an all-India campaign from September 14 to September 24 against the burdens being imposed on people’s livelihood and to safeguard democracy, democratic rights, secularism and the Indian Constitution will be observed in various forms all across the country and will culminate in state-level public meetings and rallies,” he said.

    India is facing the highest unemployment rate in the last 45 years and it was the duty of the Congress party to strengthen the future of the youth and bring positivity to the minds of youngsters in the country, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday.

    Gandhi, who has embarked on the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ reached Neendakara in Kollam district today, the ninth day since he began his foot march on September 7.

    In a Facebook post, Gandhi said he had been meeting many youngsters during the march and was understanding their expectations from the government.

    If the country could make use of the youth power, the nation could grow very fast, he said.

    “But today the country has the highest unemployment in the last 45 years, educated youngsters are wandering in search of employment and disappointed. It is our duty and also the need of the time today to strengthen the future of our youth, bring positivity to them.”

    After the conclusion of the morning leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi has been engaged in discussions with cashew workers, entrepreneurs, trade unions and leaders of RSP and Forward Block, both allies of the Congress party.

    “I am meeting with many youngsters during our Bharat Jodo trip, understanding their expectations from the government, what kind of help they want from us to make their future bright and how many more possibilities can we create for them,” he said.

    Gandhi also noted that the purpose of the Yatra was to lend an ear to children, old, young, women, poor, farmers and tribals and to resolve their problems.

    “We are also succeeding, the youth are openly talking to us, walking together. I hope we all will unite our India and make it forward,” he added.

    The evening leg of the yatra will begin at 5 PM from Chavara bus stand and conclude at Karunagapally where the Bharat Jodo Yatra members will halt for the night.

    The 3,570 kilometres-long foot march started off from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10 evening, would traverse through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

    Gandhi on Friday resumed his party’s Bharat Jodo yatra, a 150-day-long foot march, after a day’s rest from Polayathodu in Kollam district of Kerala.

    Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, AICC general secretary in charge of Organisation, K C Venugopal, senior Congress leaders, Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, RSP leader N K Premachandran among others were seen walking besides Gandhi.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi will interact with cashew workers, entrepreneurs, and party allies during the halt of the yatra at Neendakara in the district.

    “After a day of well-earned rest, #BharatJodoYatra resumed from Kollam today at 6:45 am. It’ll cover 13 km this morning and halt at Neendakara on the seashore. Interactions with cashew workers, cashew entrepreneurs, trade union and leaders of RSP & Forward Block in the afternoon,” Ramesh tweeted.

    The foot march was launched from Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will cover 12 states and two Union territories.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10 evening, would traverse through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

    The yatra will enter Alappuzha on September 17 and pass through Ernakulam district on September 21 and 22 and reach Thrissur on September 23.

    The foot march will traverse through Palakkad on September 26 and 27 and enter Malappuram on September 28.

  • Pan-India raids: ED searches 40 locations as part of Delhi liquor policy case

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The ED on Friday launched fresh raids at about 40 locations across the country as part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the now scrapped Delhi Excise Policy, official sources said.

    The searches are being conducted at premises linked to liquor businessmen, distributors and supply chain networks in Nellore and some other cities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, they said.

    This is the second round of raids being conducted by the federal agency in this case after it first conducted searches on September 6 at about 45 locations across the country.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case of money laundering in the excise policy stems from a CBI FIR in which Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and some bureaucrats have been named as accused.

    The excise policy has been rolled back now.

    The CBI conducted raids in the case on August 19, covering the Delhi residences of Sisodia (50), IAS officer and former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, and 19 other locations across seven states and Union Territories.

    Sisodia holds multiple portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government including excise and education.

    The ED is probing if alleged irregularities were done in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy brought out in November last year and if some alleged “proceeds of crime” in terms of tainted money was generated by the accused.

    The agency also is expected to question AAP leader and minister Satyendar Jain in the Tihar jail in connection with this case on Friday after it obtained permission from a local court to do so.

    NEW DELHI: The ED on Friday launched fresh raids at about 40 locations across the country as part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the now scrapped Delhi Excise Policy, official sources said.

    The searches are being conducted at premises linked to liquor businessmen, distributors and supply chain networks in Nellore and some other cities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, they said.

    This is the second round of raids being conducted by the federal agency in this case after it first conducted searches on September 6 at about 45 locations across the country.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case of money laundering in the excise policy stems from a CBI FIR in which Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and some bureaucrats have been named as accused.

    The excise policy has been rolled back now.

    The CBI conducted raids in the case on August 19, covering the Delhi residences of Sisodia (50), IAS officer and former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, and 19 other locations across seven states and Union Territories.

    Sisodia holds multiple portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government including excise and education.

    The ED is probing if alleged irregularities were done in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy brought out in November last year and if some alleged “proceeds of crime” in terms of tainted money was generated by the accused.

    The agency also is expected to question AAP leader and minister Satyendar Jain in the Tihar jail in connection with this case on Friday after it obtained permission from a local court to do so.

  • Kejriwal in Gujarat: AAP chief gets in argument with cops over dinner with auto-rickshaw driver

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday night had dinner at an auto-rickshaw driver’s home in Ahmedabad after accepting his invitation, but the event was preceded by high drama after the Delhi CM got into a heated argument with police officials outside his hotel over security protocols.

    Kejriwal, accompanied by a couple of AAP leaders, travelled to the auto-rickshaw driver’s home in his three-wheeler.

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacting to the dinner invite, took potshots at the AAP leader and dubbed him an “actor”.

    Before heading for dinner, Kejriwal had a heated argument with some police officials outside a five-star hotel where he is staying over security protocols as the chief minister was not ready to take along policemen with him to the house of his host – auto-rickshaw driver Vikram Dantani.

    Kejriwal, who is on a two-day Gujarat visit as part of the AAP’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, addressed a gathering of auto-rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

    After his address, auto-rickshaw driver Dantani, a resident of the city’s Ghatlodia area, requested Kejriwal to have dinner at his home.

    “I am your fan. In a video I saw on social media, you went to have dinner at the home of an auto driver in Punjab. So, will you come to my home for dinner?” asked Dantani.

    The Delhi CM immediately replied in the affirmative to the invitation.

    “Autowalas of Punjab and Gujarat love me. Should I come today evening? at 8 pm,” said the AAP leader.

    Dantani agreed when Kejriwal urged him to pick him up from his hotel and take him to his house in his auto-rickshaw.

    As agreed, Dantani reached the five-star hotel on Sindhu Bhavan Road to pick up the Delhi CM late in the evening.

    Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia and the party’s national joint general secretary, Isudan Gadhvi, also sat in Dantani’s auto-rickshaw with the Delhi CM.

    After the argument over security protocols, a police official sat beside the auto-rickshaw driver, while two police cars escorted the three-wheeler till Ghatlodia.

    Kejriwal and other state AAP leaders had dinner while sitting on the floor in Dantani’s modest house.

    Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, Gujarat Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Harsh Sanghvi, while reacting to a video of dinner invitation earlier in the day, tweeted, “What an actor”! 

    Kejriwal on Monday alleged probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption as he held town hall meetings with a cross-section of people, including auto-rickshaw drivers, during his latest visit to poll-bound Gujarat.

    Besides auto-rickshaw drivers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener interacted with advocates and businesspersons at town hall meetings and made a slew of promises to them and assured to fulfil them if his party is voted to power in Gujarat, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

    Expanding his party’s outreach, Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to the state, promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls.

    He also promised auto-rickshaw drivers in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state to bring Regional Transport Office (RTO) services to their doorsteps to check corruption and to shield them from harassment.

    He urged the business sector in the state to support the AAP in the Assembly polls as a victory would mean the AAP will have three chief ministers (in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab), which will allow its voice to be heard by the Centre for simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    In a swipe at the Centre, Kejriwal alleged that probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption.

    He said the country cannot progress until businessmen are free from the fear of raids, while interacting with a group of businessmen at another town hall.

    The AAP government will be corruption-free, will ensure people do business without fear of raids and also work towards simplification of the GST process at the state and central levels, the Delhi CM maintained.

    Speaking about the purported raid conducted by “three policemen” at the AAP’s office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Kejriwal claimed the policemen were enquring about money.

    “We are a poor party with no money. The policemen searched our office for two hours and left. They were asking our people about money. They left when we said there was no money. Today, the Ahmedabad police said no raid took place. This is surprising,” he said.

    The Ahmedabad police had refuted the AAP’s claim that its office was raided on Sunday.

    In an interaction with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young lawyers and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands – namely life and health insurance cover – for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said.

    The total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40 crore-50 crore for the Delhi administration, “which is not a big amount for a government”, the chief minister said.

    He promised strict implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if the AAP wins elections in the state, where the BJP is ensconced in power for nearly three decades now.

    Kejriwal said auto-rickshaw drivers had played a vital role in his victory in the Delhi elections and urged them to do the same by promoting the AAP among their passengers and through social media.

    The CM said his government in Delhi paid Rs 5,000 each to nearly 1.5 lakh drivers twice during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

    “In Delhi, you do not need to go to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) for works like a renewal of licence, change of ownership, permit, or hypothecation (pledging an asset to the bank while applying for loan).”

    “We have given a phone number. Give a call and a Delhi government officer will come to your doorstep. You will get your licence renewed in the same way you order a pizza on phone,” Kejriwal said.

    During his earlier visits to Gujarat, the AAP had made a slew of pre-poll promises related to free power, quality education, dole for unemployed youths, job creation and allowance for women, among others.

    Kejriwal on Monday promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls, due in December this year.

    Interacting with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young advocates and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    He assured free electricity to the court chambers of lawyers in Gujarat on the lines of Delhi and said a “very liberal policy” has been framed in view of lawyers’ demand for health and life insurance cover.

    “I understood that till now, whatever we did for advocates in Delhi was the best. Just now I learnt that Kerala has gone ahead of me. I had no idea about the Kerala scheme (of paying a monthly stipend to young lawyers),” the Delhi chief minister said when a lawyer pointed out this in a town hall.

    Kejriwal said he will also study the Kerala scheme.

    “I assure you that we will provide you with a better scheme than Kerala. We will also fulfil the demand for granting automatic stature of a notary to lawyers who completed 10 years of practice (in Gujarat)”, the AAP leader said.

    Kejriwal said lawyers’ chambers are getting free electricity in Delhi.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands namely life and health insurance cover, for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said, adding that the total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40-50 crore for the Delhi government, “which is not a big amount for a government”.

    He promised the implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if AAP comes to power.

    “As you say the draft is ready, we will strengthen it if required. The law will have to be strengthened along with the police machinery. We will bring a law for the protection of lawyers and a system. These things do not cost too much,” he said.

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday night had dinner at an auto-rickshaw driver’s home in Ahmedabad after accepting his invitation, but the event was preceded by high drama after the Delhi CM got into a heated argument with police officials outside his hotel over security protocols.

    Kejriwal, accompanied by a couple of AAP leaders, travelled to the auto-rickshaw driver’s home in his three-wheeler.

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacting to the dinner invite, took potshots at the AAP leader and dubbed him an “actor”.

    Before heading for dinner, Kejriwal had a heated argument with some police officials outside a five-star hotel where he is staying over security protocols as the chief minister was not ready to take along policemen with him to the house of his host – auto-rickshaw driver Vikram Dantani.

    Kejriwal, who is on a two-day Gujarat visit as part of the AAP’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, addressed a gathering of auto-rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

    After his address, auto-rickshaw driver Dantani, a resident of the city’s Ghatlodia area, requested Kejriwal to have dinner at his home.

    “I am your fan. In a video I saw on social media, you went to have dinner at the home of an auto driver in Punjab. So, will you come to my home for dinner?” asked Dantani.

    The Delhi CM immediately replied in the affirmative to the invitation.

    “Autowalas of Punjab and Gujarat love me. Should I come today evening? at 8 pm,” said the AAP leader.

    Dantani agreed when Kejriwal urged him to pick him up from his hotel and take him to his house in his auto-rickshaw.

    As agreed, Dantani reached the five-star hotel on Sindhu Bhavan Road to pick up the Delhi CM late in the evening.

    Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia and the party’s national joint general secretary, Isudan Gadhvi, also sat in Dantani’s auto-rickshaw with the Delhi CM.

    After the argument over security protocols, a police official sat beside the auto-rickshaw driver, while two police cars escorted the three-wheeler till Ghatlodia.

    Kejriwal and other state AAP leaders had dinner while sitting on the floor in Dantani’s modest house.

    Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, Gujarat Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Harsh Sanghvi, while reacting to a video of dinner invitation earlier in the day, tweeted, “What an actor”! 

    Kejriwal on Monday alleged probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption as he held town hall meetings with a cross-section of people, including auto-rickshaw drivers, during his latest visit to poll-bound Gujarat.

    Besides auto-rickshaw drivers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener interacted with advocates and businesspersons at town hall meetings and made a slew of promises to them and assured to fulfil them if his party is voted to power in Gujarat, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

    Expanding his party’s outreach, Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to the state, promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls.

    He also promised auto-rickshaw drivers in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state to bring Regional Transport Office (RTO) services to their doorsteps to check corruption and to shield them from harassment.

    He urged the business sector in the state to support the AAP in the Assembly polls as a victory would mean the AAP will have three chief ministers (in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab), which will allow its voice to be heard by the Centre for simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    In a swipe at the Centre, Kejriwal alleged that probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption.

    He said the country cannot progress until businessmen are free from the fear of raids, while interacting with a group of businessmen at another town hall.

    The AAP government will be corruption-free, will ensure people do business without fear of raids and also work towards simplification of the GST process at the state and central levels, the Delhi CM maintained.

    Speaking about the purported raid conducted by “three policemen” at the AAP’s office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Kejriwal claimed the policemen were enquring about money.

    “We are a poor party with no money. The policemen searched our office for two hours and left. They were asking our people about money. They left when we said there was no money. Today, the Ahmedabad police said no raid took place. This is surprising,” he said.

    The Ahmedabad police had refuted the AAP’s claim that its office was raided on Sunday.

    In an interaction with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young lawyers and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands – namely life and health insurance cover – for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said.

    The total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40 crore-50 crore for the Delhi administration, “which is not a big amount for a government”, the chief minister said.

    He promised strict implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if the AAP wins elections in the state, where the BJP is ensconced in power for nearly three decades now.

    Kejriwal said auto-rickshaw drivers had played a vital role in his victory in the Delhi elections and urged them to do the same by promoting the AAP among their passengers and through social media.

    The CM said his government in Delhi paid Rs 5,000 each to nearly 1.5 lakh drivers twice during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

    “In Delhi, you do not need to go to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) for works like a renewal of licence, change of ownership, permit, or hypothecation (pledging an asset to the bank while applying for loan).”

    “We have given a phone number. Give a call and a Delhi government officer will come to your doorstep. You will get your licence renewed in the same way you order a pizza on phone,” Kejriwal said.

    During his earlier visits to Gujarat, the AAP had made a slew of pre-poll promises related to free power, quality education, dole for unemployed youths, job creation and allowance for women, among others.

    Kejriwal on Monday promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls, due in December this year.

    Interacting with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young advocates and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    He assured free electricity to the court chambers of lawyers in Gujarat on the lines of Delhi and said a “very liberal policy” has been framed in view of lawyers’ demand for health and life insurance cover.

    “I understood that till now, whatever we did for advocates in Delhi was the best. Just now I learnt that Kerala has gone ahead of me. I had no idea about the Kerala scheme (of paying a monthly stipend to young lawyers),” the Delhi chief minister said when a lawyer pointed out this in a town hall.

    Kejriwal said he will also study the Kerala scheme.

    “I assure you that we will provide you with a better scheme than Kerala. We will also fulfil the demand for granting automatic stature of a notary to lawyers who completed 10 years of practice (in Gujarat)”, the AAP leader said.

    Kejriwal said lawyers’ chambers are getting free electricity in Delhi.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands namely life and health insurance cover, for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said, adding that the total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40-50 crore for the Delhi government, “which is not a big amount for a government”.

    He promised the implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if AAP comes to power.

    “As you say the draft is ready, we will strengthen it if required. The law will have to be strengthened along with the police machinery. We will bring a law for the protection of lawyers and a system. These things do not cost too much,” he said.

  • Ahead of Kejriwal’s town hall interactions, Gujarat Police ‘raids’ AAP office in Ahmedabad

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Police conducted a raid at the AAP office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the party said while claiming the ruling BJP is “extremely rattled” by the “immense support” it is getting in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls.

    Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit said on Twitter that the raid was carried out soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    Reacting to the development, Kejriwal said the Gujarat police found nothing at the party office as the leaders and workers of the AAP are “hardcore honest”.

    There was no immediate response from the Gujarat Police to the AAP’s claim.

    “The BJP is extremely rattled by the immense support that the AAP is getting from the people of Gujarat. There is a storm in favour of the AAP in Gujarat,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Raids have started in Gujarat too after Delhi. Nothing was found in Delhi, nothing was found in Gujarat too. We are hardcore honest and patriotic people,” he added.

    The AAP national convenor hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his party’s Gujarat unit leader Isudan Gadhvi claimed on Twitter that police raided the party office and carried out searches for two hours, soon after Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    “Gujarat Police’s raid at the Aam Aadmi Party’s office as soon as Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad. Carried out searches for two hours and left. Nothing found. Said they will come again,” Gadhvi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The BJP is so scared with the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat that now it is misusing power to get our office raided,” the Gujarat unit of the AAP said in a tweet.

    After Delhi, now they have started getting raids conducted in Gujarat too.

    Be it Delhi or Gujarat, they are not going to find anything, it added.

    The Gujarat Assembly polls are slated to be held later in the year.

    The raid comes ahead of Kejriwal’s interactions with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen and lawyers in three different town hall meetings in Ahmedabad on Monday, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls due later this year.

    Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Kejriwal reached Ahmedabad on Sunday evening to attend various public programmes and meet local party leaders on Monday and Tuesday as part of the AAP’s election campaign in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

    As per the schedule shared by the Gujarat AAP unit, Kejriwal will participate in three town hall meets here on Monday where he will interact with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen, and lawyers.

    On Tuesday, Kejriwal will hold another town hall meet with sanitation workers.

    He will also hold discussions with local AAP leaders and workers and welcome new members to the party in Ahmedabad.

    He will also announce an “important guarantee” for the people of Gujarat, as per the party.

    Kejriwal on Sunday said his next “guarantee” to the people of Gujarat will be to provide a “corruption-free” government.

    During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of “guarantees”, including allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education, creation of jobs, and free electricity up to 300 units.

    NEW DELHI: Police conducted a raid at the AAP office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the party said while claiming the ruling BJP is “extremely rattled” by the “immense support” it is getting in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls.

    Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit said on Twitter that the raid was carried out soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    Reacting to the development, Kejriwal said the Gujarat police found nothing at the party office as the leaders and workers of the AAP are “hardcore honest”.

    There was no immediate response from the Gujarat Police to the AAP’s claim.

    “The BJP is extremely rattled by the immense support that the AAP is getting from the people of Gujarat. There is a storm in favour of the AAP in Gujarat,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Raids have started in Gujarat too after Delhi. Nothing was found in Delhi, nothing was found in Gujarat too. We are hardcore honest and patriotic people,” he added.

    The AAP national convenor hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his party’s Gujarat unit leader Isudan Gadhvi claimed on Twitter that police raided the party office and carried out searches for two hours, soon after Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    “Gujarat Police’s raid at the Aam Aadmi Party’s office as soon as Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad. Carried out searches for two hours and left. Nothing found. Said they will come again,” Gadhvi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The BJP is so scared with the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat that now it is misusing power to get our office raided,” the Gujarat unit of the AAP said in a tweet.

    After Delhi, now they have started getting raids conducted in Gujarat too.

    Be it Delhi or Gujarat, they are not going to find anything, it added.

    The Gujarat Assembly polls are slated to be held later in the year.

    The raid comes ahead of Kejriwal’s interactions with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen and lawyers in three different town hall meetings in Ahmedabad on Monday, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls due later this year.

    Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Kejriwal reached Ahmedabad on Sunday evening to attend various public programmes and meet local party leaders on Monday and Tuesday as part of the AAP’s election campaign in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

    As per the schedule shared by the Gujarat AAP unit, Kejriwal will participate in three town hall meets here on Monday where he will interact with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen, and lawyers.

    On Tuesday, Kejriwal will hold another town hall meet with sanitation workers.

    He will also hold discussions with local AAP leaders and workers and welcome new members to the party in Ahmedabad.

    He will also announce an “important guarantee” for the people of Gujarat, as per the party.

    Kejriwal on Sunday said his next “guarantee” to the people of Gujarat will be to provide a “corruption-free” government.

    During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of “guarantees”, including allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education, creation of jobs, and free electricity up to 300 units.

  • Kejriwal to lead ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Haryana’s Adampur ahead of crucial bypoll

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will lead a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Haryana’s Adampur on Thursday and address a rally.

    Kejriwal arrived in Haryana on Wednesday for a two-day visit.

    Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is accompanying him.

    The ‘Tiranga Yatra’ will start from Kranti Chowk in Adampur, Hisar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said.

    Kejriwal will later address a rally at the Adampur Mandi, the party added.

    The Delhi chief minister’s visit to Hisar assumes significance in the wake of the by-poll to the Adampur assembly seat which was necessitated following the resignation of Kuldeep Bishnoi from the Haryana assembly as an MLA.

    Bishnoi left Congress and joined the BJP.

    The Adampur seat is a stronghold of Bishnoi.

    Besides, panchayat polls are also due in Haryana.

    On Wednesday, Kejriwal launched his party’s ‘Make India No.1’ campaign from Hisar.

    Meanwhile, Haryana BJP Kisan Morcha state vice-president and Sirsa district in-charge Satender Singh, along with his supporters, on Wednesday joined the AAP here in presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    After joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Singh said he is influenced by the AAP’s ideology and would work for the development of Adampur.

    Originally from village Nayoli Khurd (Hisar), Singh had contested from Adampur seat in 2014 on a Congress ticket.

    Later, he joined the BJP.

    On this occasion, Kejriwal, who is AAP’s national convener, said this time there will be a change in Adampur.

    “The people of Adampur want to get rid of a family here. The people of Adampur also want development in the area,” he said.

    Haryana AAP in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta, co-in-charge Dinesh Pratap, senior leaders Anurag Dhanda, Ashok Tanwar and Chitra Sarwara were also present.

    CHANDIGARH: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will lead a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Haryana’s Adampur on Thursday and address a rally.

    Kejriwal arrived in Haryana on Wednesday for a two-day visit.

    Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is accompanying him.

    The ‘Tiranga Yatra’ will start from Kranti Chowk in Adampur, Hisar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said.

    Kejriwal will later address a rally at the Adampur Mandi, the party added.

    The Delhi chief minister’s visit to Hisar assumes significance in the wake of the by-poll to the Adampur assembly seat which was necessitated following the resignation of Kuldeep Bishnoi from the Haryana assembly as an MLA.

    Bishnoi left Congress and joined the BJP.

    The Adampur seat is a stronghold of Bishnoi.

    Besides, panchayat polls are also due in Haryana.

    On Wednesday, Kejriwal launched his party’s ‘Make India No.1’ campaign from Hisar.

    Meanwhile, Haryana BJP Kisan Morcha state vice-president and Sirsa district in-charge Satender Singh, along with his supporters, on Wednesday joined the AAP here in presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    After joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Singh said he is influenced by the AAP’s ideology and would work for the development of Adampur.

    Originally from village Nayoli Khurd (Hisar), Singh had contested from Adampur seat in 2014 on a Congress ticket.

    Later, he joined the BJP.

    On this occasion, Kejriwal, who is AAP’s national convener, said this time there will be a change in Adampur.

    “The people of Adampur want to get rid of a family here. The people of Adampur also want development in the area,” he said.

    Haryana AAP in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta, co-in-charge Dinesh Pratap, senior leaders Anurag Dhanda, Ashok Tanwar and Chitra Sarwara were also present.

  • Three BJP MLAs marshalled out of Delhi Assembly after argument with Dy Speaker Birla 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Three BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the Delhi Assembly on Thursday following an argument with Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla who refused to accept their demand for a calling attention motion prior to debate and voting on the trust motion by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    The rest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs walked out of the House soon after.

    Kejriwal tabled the confidence motion on Monday levelling charges of MLA poaching on the BJP to show that the alleged “Operation Lotus” of the party had failed in Delhi.

    ALSO READ | Delhi Assembly passes confidence motion tabled by Arvind Kejriwal

    Birla said no calling attention motion notice will be taken up till the debate and voting on confidence motion concluded.

    Protesting it, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said there are a lot of issues to be discussed in the assembly — “there is shortage of drinking water, Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital there are health-related problems”.

    He said there was no need to enact a “drama” to prove Arvind Kejriwal enjoyed the support of 62 AAP MLAs.

    Birla said the confidence motion is important considering “whatever has happened in opposition-ruled states”.

    All issues of the Opposition will be taken up once the confidence motion process is completed, she said.

    When opposition members did not relent, Birla ordered that BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Abhay Verma and Mohan Singh Bisht be marshalled out. The rest of the BJP MLAs walked out of the assembly soon after.

    The special session of the House was postponed sine die by the deputy speaker after a vote division, in which 58 MLAs voted in favour of Kejriwal government.

    Birla, in the chair, did not participate in the voting. The BJP MLAs were not allowed to speak in the special session for the fifth consecutive day of the House, charged Bidhuri.

    The MLAs of the opposition party also staged a sit-in outside the chief minister’s residence in protest over muzzling of their voice in the assembly and corruption in the Kejriwal government, said BJP MLA Vijender Gupta.

    NEW DELHI: Three BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the Delhi Assembly on Thursday following an argument with Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla who refused to accept their demand for a calling attention motion prior to debate and voting on the trust motion by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    The rest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs walked out of the House soon after.

    Kejriwal tabled the confidence motion on Monday levelling charges of MLA poaching on the BJP to show that the alleged “Operation Lotus” of the party had failed in Delhi.

    ALSO READ | Delhi Assembly passes confidence motion tabled by Arvind Kejriwal

    Birla said no calling attention motion notice will be taken up till the debate and voting on confidence motion concluded.

    Protesting it, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said there are a lot of issues to be discussed in the assembly — “there is shortage of drinking water, Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital there are health-related problems”.

    He said there was no need to enact a “drama” to prove Arvind Kejriwal enjoyed the support of 62 AAP MLAs.

    Birla said the confidence motion is important considering “whatever has happened in opposition-ruled states”.

    All issues of the Opposition will be taken up once the confidence motion process is completed, she said.

    When opposition members did not relent, Birla ordered that BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Abhay Verma and Mohan Singh Bisht be marshalled out. The rest of the BJP MLAs walked out of the assembly soon after.

    The special session of the House was postponed sine die by the deputy speaker after a vote division, in which 58 MLAs voted in favour of Kejriwal government.

    Birla, in the chair, did not participate in the voting. The BJP MLAs were not allowed to speak in the special session for the fifth consecutive day of the House, charged Bidhuri.

    The MLAs of the opposition party also staged a sit-in outside the chief minister’s residence in protest over muzzling of their voice in the assembly and corruption in the Kejriwal government, said BJP MLA Vijender Gupta.