Arvind Kejriwal said all parties have united against AAP.
New Delhi:
Arvind Kejriwal today lashed out at allegations that he had made separatist comments, calling them “comedy” and describing himself as the “world’s sweetest terrorist”.
Ahead of the Punjab election on Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief has been attacked by the BJP and Congress over a video of a former party leader, Kumar Vishwas, claiming that he had spoken about becoming PM of a separate state.
“They have all ganged up against me and they are calling me a terrorist. It is comedy – it is a laughing matter. If that is the case, then why doesn’t (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-ji arrest me?” Mr Kejriwal said to reporters.
“I must be the world’s sweetest terrorist, a terrorist who provides schools, hospitals, electricity, roads, water…,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.
On Thursday, PM Modi and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were among those who targeted Mr Kejriwal and AAP over the Kumar Vishwas video. In the video, Mr Vishwas, a founder member of AAP known for his vitriolic attacks on Mr Kejriwal, says: “One day, he (Mr Kejriwal) told me he would either become CM (of Punjab) or first PM of an independent nation (Khalistan)… he wants power at any cost.”
Mr Kejriwal said: “Everyone is against us, they are saying Kejriwal is plotting to split the country and that I will become the PM of one part. This means I am a big terrorist. What were their security agencies doing? The country’s biggest parties are making a mockery of the country’s security.”
Referencing freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, the AAP chief said: “There are two types of terrorist – one spreads fear among people, the other spreads fear among the corrupt. Today all corrupt people have banded together against me. They get sleepless nights and they dream of me. 100 years ago, Bhagat Singh was called a terrorist. Now 100 years later they are calling this Bhagat Singh follower a terrorist.”
Mr Kejriwal said all parties have united against AAP and are trying their best to prevent it from coming to power.
As the Congress seeks re-election in Punjab, AAP has emerged as one of its top challengers, with opinion polls favouring its chances.
Though the Election Commission had banned the Kumar Vishwas video on Wednesday, it retracted the move yesterday.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the Kumar Vishwas allegations at his rally in Punjab.
“These people dream of dividing Punjab. They are ready to join hands with separatists to remain in power. Their agenda is no different than Pakistan’s agenda,” PM Modi said.
Later, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi shared a copy of the Election Commission’s letter withdrawing the ban and urged PM Modi to order a probe.
