Arvind Kejriwal Cuts Short Gujarat Tour, Returns to Delhi After Court Refuses ED Summons Stay
Kejriwal's return to Delhi interrupted what was shaping up to be a charged political campaign launch in Vadodara, where he and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had convened to kick-start the Lok Sabha election campaign. In a spirited address to the crowd, Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on Gujarat BJP president CR. Paatil, accusing the ruling party of overlooking the needs of the common populace.
Vadodara : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s political foray into Gujarat took an unexpected turn on Friday as he abruptly terminated his tour to rush back to Delhi. This sudden change in plans came in the wake of a Delhi court’s refusal to stay the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him.
Kejriwal’s return to Delhi interrupted what was shaping up to be a charged political campaign launch in Vadodara, where he and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had convened to kick-start the Lok Sabha election campaign. In a spirited address to the crowd, Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on Gujarat BJP president CR. Paatil, accusing the ruling party of overlooking the needs of the common populace.
Drawing attention to alleged instances of governmental apathy, Kejriwal highlighted the plight of Khatamba village’s sarpanch, who had reportedly appealed for a government school for underprivileged children. Instead, Kejriwal claimed, the ruling party opted to inaugurate lavish offices in Vadodara. He also criticized the forest department for encroaching upon tribal lands and denounced the incarceration of AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava and his wife, who had protested against these actions.
“Aam Aadmi Party will uproot BJP from Gujarat,” declared Kejriwal, challenging the status quo and promising transformative change for the state. He questioned the BJP’s track record of representation in the Lok Sabha, pledging to champion the concerns of Gujarat’s citizens.
Echoing Kejriwal’s sentiments, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized AAP’s rising influence in Gujarat, citing the party’s 14 percent vote share in the previous Assembly election. Mann condemned what he perceived as threats to democracy and advocated for a shift in the political landscape.
Mann also stressed the importance of addressing the grievances of tribal communities and voiced solidarity with Chaitar Vasava, whose incarceration he viewed as a suppression of development initiatives.
As Kejriwal’s legal battle with the ED unfolds, his return to Delhi underscores the challenges facing the AAP leader on multiple fronts. The political ramifications of these developments are poised to reverberate through both Delhi and Gujarat as the Lok Sabha election campaign gains momentum.