After his release from Tihar Jail, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wasted no time in making his presence felt on the campaign trail. In his first public appearance, Kejriwal didn't mince words, launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of attempting to crush the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Kejriwal's day started with a visit to the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, accompanied by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, and several prominent AAP leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. This temple visit was followed by a spirited address to supporters and party workers at the AAP headquarters, where Kejriwal emphasized the alleged authoritarian tactics employed by the Modi government against the opposition.
During the press conference, Kejriwal labeled PM Modi as a "dictator" and warned that the BJP government would jail all opposition leaders if it returned to power. He criticized the simultaneous imprisonment of four AAP leaders, framing it as a targeted attempt to quash dissent.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed Kejriwal's sentiments, emphasizing that Kejriwal represented not just an individual, but an ideology that couldn't be easily subdued. Mann predicted a tough battle ahead for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Kejriwal's release on interim bail till June 1 by the Supreme Court was hailed as a game-changer by AAP leaders, who anticipated a significant boost to their campaign efforts. Opposition leaders also welcomed Kejriwal's release, viewing it as a victory for democracy.
However, the BJP downplayed Kejriwal's bail, emphasizing its interim nature and maintaining that investigating agencies were pursuing him for his alleged involvement in corruption related to the Delhi liquor policy.
The ongoing political drama surrounding Kejriwal's arrest and subsequent release underscores the heightened stakes of the Lok Sabha elections, with both AAP and the BJP vying for supremacy amidst accusations and counter-accusations.
