To blunt the accusation cessationist aspirations, the AAP chief compared himself with freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, only to be rebuked by the Congress for insulting the freedom fighters.
Team Clarion
In a recent video interview that has sparked furor, Kumar is seen saying, “One day, he (Kejriwal) told me he would either become CM (of Punjab) or first PM of an independent nation… He wants power at any cost.”
Taking a cue from Kumar’s remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the Delhi Chief Minister accusing him of having an agenda to break the country by joining hands with separatists. He said.
Responding to the avalanche of accusations against him, Kejriwal said, “They have all teamed up against me and calling me a terrorist. It is a comedy. If that were to be the case, why then doesn’t Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra) have me arrested,” asked Kejriwal while addressing a press conference on Friday.
Taking a dig at the PM for his intemperate remarks against him, the AAP chief asked what were the Centre’s security agencies doing until now.
“What were agencies, during the Congress and BJP’s tenure, doing till now? Why did they not arrest me? This is such a humorous matter,” he asked and went on to answer the question himself. Because “I must be the world’s sweetest terrorist, a terrorist who provides schools, hospitals, electricity, roads, water…”
Claiming to be a staunch follower of Bhagat Singh, a legendary Indian revolutionary who embraced gallows for the country’s freedom, the AAP chief said that 100 years back, Bhagat Singh was called a terrorist by the British, and I’m his staunch follower.
“Today,” he said, “history is repeating itself. These all corrupt people have teamed up to brand the disciple of Bhagat Singh a terrorist, but people know the truth.”
On Wednesday, Additional Election Commission Punjab had banned the circulation of the video clip only to lift the ban the next day presumably under the pressure from the top.
PM Modi and Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were among those who attacked Kejriwal over Kumar Vishwas’ video wherein he accused Kejriwal of making separatist comments.
The Congress, which is presently ruling the state of Punjab, termed Kejriwal’s comparison of himself with a legendary freedom fighter of Bhagat Singh’s stature an “insult to freedom fighters”. Party’s spokesperson, Jaiveer Shergill, said, “While Shaheed Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life for the nation, Arvind Kejriwal is not willing to give up even one of his posts. He is both CM and National Convener of the AAP due to his lust for power. Kejriwal comparing himself to Bhagat Singh is an insult to our freedom fighters & reflects his desperation for votes.”
Meanwhile, the Union government said it might provide security to Vishwas if feels threat to his life after his remarks against Kejriwal.
An IANS report, quoting sources within the security network, said in view of the threats, the Centre is likely to provide VIP security cover to him after a thorough review and based on intelligence inputs.
