The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal kicked off his party’s poll campaign in Gujarat on Saturday by offering prayer at historical Somnath temple.
Kejriwal’s visit is being seen as an attempt to give a push to his party’s State unit ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat next year. AAP’s State unit has already indicated to contest from all 182 Assembly constituencies in the State.
Though the visit of Delhi Chief Minister was termed personal by AAP leaders who said that he came to the State with family to seek blessings of lord Somnath (Shiva), but Kejriwal made it a point to meet farmers and also launched attack on ruling BJP. Apart from his family, senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas too accompanied Kejriwal.
After landing at Rajkot airport in the morning, the Delhi CM said that the purpose of his visit with family was to offer prayer at Somnath temple but he would meet whoever comes to see him. Apart from historic Somnath temple, the AAP leaders also visited adjoining pilgrimage Bhalka Tirth — a place where lord Krishna left his mortal body. State AAP convener and former BJP MlA Kanu Kalsaria and other State APP leaders too joined Kejriwal from Rajkot airport.
“I sought power from the lord Shiva to fight against evil forces. I am feeling blessed offering prayer to the lord with family and friends,” said Kejriwal after visiting Somnath temple.
He also took the opportunity to target Anandiben Patel Government alleging that he had to cut short his original schedule by a day as his meeting with Surat businessmen cancelled following Gujarat Chief Minister’s pressure on the organisers. He also gave indication that in near future AAP would organise a large rally in Surat in which he would remain present.
In his interaction with AAP supporters he raised pro-quota agitation issue with a view to launch attack on ruling BJP saying that they have charged Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel with sedition, but didn’t take similar action against Eknath Kahse who spoke to Dawood.
Reacting on the Kejriwal visit, Gujarat BJP president Vijay Rupani said that the Delhi CM has been exposed in his own State and hence trying hard to gain importance by roaming around.