Fresh from an assembly election victory in Punjab, the AAP launched its campaign for the Gujarat assembly election with the party’s national convener and Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, leading a 2km roadshow in Ahmedabad last week.
Named the Tiranga Gaurav Yatra, the AAP chose the Nikol-Bapunagar stretch for its show of strength. The area is dominated by the Patidar community, with whom the AAP has found favour in recent times. The roadshow began after Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and other AAP leaders sought the blessings of Khodiyar Mata at a temple.
“I do not k now how to do politics, but I know how to end corruption. I stopped corruption in Delhi,” Kejriwal said. “Bhagwant Mann has stopped corruption in just 10 days in Punjab. ” He added: “The BJP has become arrogant after being in power for 25 years. Yet corruption has not ended. ”
Stating that the AAP is not here to defeat the BJP or the Congress, Kejriwal s aid: “I have come here to make Gujarat and Gujaratis win. We want corruption to end here. ” He added: “Give us a chance, you will forget all parties. The BJP will do nothing new if you give it another five years.”
Kejriwal launched the AAP’s Gujarat campaign on the plank of nationalism with only tricolour flags at the roadshow. “We will all chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ during the roadshow,” Kejriwal said.
Mann said: “Hundreds of you have gathered with the tricolour. It proves people are patriotic.” He added: “The problem is that some are trying to divide us. Now that Delhi and Punjab are won, it is time to win Gujarat. ”
