The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched its “Jail ka Jawab Vote Se” campaign on Monday ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, rallying public support for party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently in Tihar jail.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, in connection with a money laundering case related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy, prompted the AAP to mobilize its campaign.
AAP National General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Kejriwal’s arrest to hinder his participation in the upcoming elections. Pathak emphasised the unprecedented nature of a sitting chief minister being jailed just before elections to prevent his campaigning.
Launching the ‘Jail ka Jawab, Vote se’ campaign, Pathak urged citizens to express their solidarity with Kejriwal through their votes, turning the struggle into a movement. The AAP’s election campaign will revolve around the “Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se” slogan.
Gopal Rai, AAP’s Delhi unit convenor, emphasized the responsibility of Kejriwal’s supporters to safeguard his reputation, citing his track record of serving the people of Delhi. “He has never let down the honour of the people of Delhi. The BJP’s dictatorial government has sent him to Tihar Jail, but it is now the duty of Delhi to protect his honour for the work he has done for all of us,” he added.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh appealed to voters to remember Kejriwal’s contributions and the potential implications of his absence on the provision of public services in Delhi. “Jail ke taale tootenge, Kejriwal chhootenge’ (Locks of jails will break and Kejriwal will come out),” he exclaimed.
In alliance with the Congress, the AAP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls on four seats in Delhi, while the Congress is fielding candidates on the remaining three seats.