Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while addressing Janta Adalat at Jantar Mantar on Sunday (September 22). “There was rule in BJP that leaders would retire when they reach 75 years; will this not apply to PM Modi?,” questioned Kejriwal.

‘PM conspired to prove me corrupt’

AAP supremo also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi conspired to prove that he was corrupt. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi conspired against us. He conspired to prove me and (AAP leader) Manish Sisodia corrupt. He tried to taint our image,” he said. 

Kejriwal stated that for the last ten years, AAP had been running the government honestly, providing free electricity and water, offering free medical treatment, and improving education. He claimed that Modi began to believe that in order to win against them, he needed to attack their integrity, which led to a conspiracy to portray Kejriwal, Sisodia, and AAP as dishonest and to imprison every leader.

“I resigned because I am not hungry for the Chief Minister’s chair. I am not here to earn money, but to change the politics of the country,” Kejriwal added. 

‘You have to decide who the thief is: BJP or Kejriwal’

Kejriwal mentioned that he would soon leave his house and give up all the facilities associated with the Chief Minister’s residence, expressing that he wouldn’t even have a place to stay afterward. He noted receiving many calls from people inviting him to live at their homes for free. 

He indicated that after Shrad and Navratra, he would vacate the CM house and return to live among the people. Kejriwal stated that he had decided not to occupy the Chief Minister’s seat until the court clears him of all allegations, though his lawyers mentioned that this could take 7 to 8 years. 

He added that it is up to the public to determine who the real thief is—him or the BJP—and emphasised his commitment to seeking their validation of his honesty before resuming his role as Chief Minister.

“It is up to the people to decide who the thief is—me or the BJP. I decided then that I would go to the people and ask them to certify my honesty,” he said. 

Why Janta Adalat at Jantar Mantar? 

Kejriwal is hosting the ‘Adalat’ to respond to the corruption charges against him related to the excise policy case. Jantar Mantar, the venue where his political journey began over a decade ago during the India Against Corruption Movement, serves as the backdrop for this event.

Meanwhile, Senior AAP leader Atishi was sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Saturday. Her tenure is expected to be short, as assembly elections in the national capital are scheduled for February. A first-time legislator, Atishi has become a prominent figure in the party, having managed AAP’s operations while Kejriwal was in Tihar jail concerning the excise policy case.