Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the AAP and a former chief minister of Delhi, questioned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday, raising concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s age and the BJP’s use of central probe agencies to overthrow opposition governments, oust senior leaders, and admit corrupt individuals into the party.
After resigning as chief minister, Kejriwal asked RSS president Mohan Bhagwat five questions in his first “Janta ki Adalat” public forum at Jantar Mantar. This was a few days after the Supreme Court had given him bail in the excise policy case.
“The way Modi ji is breaking other parties by luring or threatening them with the ED, CBI, and bringing down governments, is this right for the country’s democracy?…” he asked.
In addition, he questioned Bhagwat on his support for the BJP’s policy of appointing the “most corrupt” leaders. Kejriwal questioned the RSS chief about whether he had counselled Modi against this, pointing out that the BJP was borne out of the RSS.
In a further query, he enquired about Bhagwat’s reaction to JP Nadda, the national head of the BJP, declaring prior to the Lok Sabha elections that his party did not require the RSS.
Nadda had stated that the party has evolved from the time it need the RSS to the present, when it is “saksham” (competent) and manages its own affairs, in an interview in May. He had claimed that the RSS operates on its own and is a “ideological front.”
Kejriwal went on to say the RSS and BJP made a rule that a politician will have to retire after turning 75 years old. “Veteran leaders like L K Advani ji and Murli Manohar Joshi ji were retired, but now Amit Shah ji is saying the rule will not apply to Modi ji,” said Kejriwal, adding that he hoped the RSS chief and other leaders would answer his questions.
The leader of the AAP further charged that in an attempt to damage their reputation, the BJP and Modi had made up accusations against him and other AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. “I remember when we were protesting against corruption, the opposition made fun of us and said fight elections… we knew to contest polls, you need money, powerful people, but we showed them elections can be fought with honesty… and we won for the very first time and ran the government with honesty in the last 10 years,” said Kejriwal.
He said all he wants is to serve the country and people honestly. “… They (BJP) defamed me and called me corrupt… They might be thick-skinned, but I am not like them… So, I will not sit on the CM seat till you vote for me and give me a clean chit,” he said.
Kejriwal said he would vacate the CM residence after the Navaratri festival begins. “I am getting a lot of calls from people inviting me to stay at their house without rent… I will… come live among you people,” he said.
He also said he would undergo “agni pariksha (test of fire)” in the people’s court for the next three months. “If you think Kejriwal and AAP are honest, press the jhaadu (AAP’s broom symbol) button, vote for us, and make us win,” said the AAP chief.
Senior party leaders Sandeep Pathak, Durgesh Pathak, and Jasmine Shah were there, along with recently appointed chief minister Atishi and cabinet ministers Kailash Gahlot, Mukesh Ahlawat, Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain.
Several party workers, volunteers and residents were also present. Nabi Malik, who came from Ambedkar Nagar, said, “… What has the BJP done for the people of Delhi? First, it demanded Kejriwal’s resignation and now when he has resigned, they are not happy… Kejriwal ji has silenced BJP leaders by resigning… he knows people will only vote for him.”
Suman Sharma from Malka Ganj in North Delhi said, “… Kejriwal gave us free travel, free electricity, 24×7 power… what else does a poor man want?”
Kejriwal’s political career is coming to an end, according to Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, in a jab at the politician. “Kejriwal quickly left after announcing a Janata Darbar, or public court. He promised a Janata Adalat (people’s court) today, made a quick political statement, and then walked away without paying attention to anyone. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Kejriwal planned a party worker assembly instead of a public court, which also failed because few party men showed up, the speaker remarked.
