Why has BJP made Maharashtra's CR Patil the president of BJP Gujarat?

AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal addressed a massive gathering in Gujarat today. The party had organised an Adivasi Sankalp Sammelan in Bharuch’s Chandeliya and saw an unprecedented crowd come out to the rally. Shri Arvind Kejriwal banked on his tested formula from Delhi and Punjab and asked for just one chance, saying AAP will deliver employment, eradicate poverty, educate your children and build spectacular hospitals in the state. Shri Kejriwal stated — If you want schools-hospitals and employment, vote for AAP; if you want dirty politics, corruption and hooliganism, vote for BJP. On one hand, BJP and Congress protect the rich and powerful, on the other, AAP protects the underprivileged. My soul is committed to honesty and Deshbhakti; AAP is a party of honest, decent, educated deshbhakts who want development. We have to throw out the BJP this time, if you vote for them the future of children will not flourish. I appeal to the people of Gujarat — vote for AAP even if it is just for teaching BJP a lesson; if you don’t like our work, vote for them next time. We’ve come to power in Delhi and Punjab, now Gujarat is next. I heard that Gujarat elections will be held soon; we have the support of the Lord and the affection of the public, be it now or six months later, AAP is coming to power. Make this election the next revolution; Gujarat’s election is an opportunity to lay the foundation of change. BJP has made a joke of the education system in 27 years, if they get 5 more they’ll make it even worse. Heard that Guiness Book people met and wanted to include the name of Gujarat as the land of the highest number of paper leaks. I challenge CM Bhupendra Patel, organise one exam without a paper leak, the whole country is looking at you. BJP leaders abuse me day and night; I am honest so I am making facilities free; you are corrupt so you can’t offer anything to the public. There’s only one parameter left now — whoever gives free electricity is honest, whoever hikes rates is corrupt. Why has BJP made Maharashtra’s CR Patil the president of BJP Gujarat? Could the BJP not find a single Gujarati to lead its state unit? People say CR Patil isn’t just the president, he also runs the government, he is the real CM; there can’t be greater disrespect of the people of Gujarat than this.

Addressing an overwhelming crowd gathered for Aam Aadmi Party’s Jansabha in Gujarat, AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “This is our first official Jansabha or public rally after attaining victory in Punjab’s assembly elections. We had held a roadshow in Ahmedabad a couple of weeks ago, but this first Jansabha has especially been organised in an Adivasi area. We are well aware of the exploitation and injustice faced by the Adivasi community in Gujarat – first at the hands of the British, then tortured by our own people. Entire sections of the community were displaced in the name of giant commercial or government projects. The entire system developed around such severe oppression of the Adivasi community that one struggles to put together two meals a day for their family, for their children. It is highly ironic how the two richest men of our country’s hail from Gujarat, and at the same time, the most impoverished Advivasis too belong to this very state. Places in Gujarat like Dahod, Chhotaudepur, Aravalli, Dang are all homes to the poorest of families.”

He added, “On one hand, the BJP and Congress are dedicated to helping the already wealthy industrialists get even richer. I am here to say that the Aam Aadmi Party, on the other hand, stands with the Adivasis, with the impoverished and oppressed communities to work for their welfare. As long as these other parties like the BJP and Congress hold power in our country, they will continue to favour the billionaires, but you give one chance to us, to the Aam Aadmi Party, and we will drive the poverty and hunger away, provide quality education to your children, generate employment and built hospitals for you. We are the party of the poor, of the common folk, not the filthy rich capitalists. The people in Delhi have embraced me over the years, and showered me with a lot of love. Today, I am here to ask for the same love from the people of Gujarat.”

Among chants of ‘Kejriwal Tum Aagey Badho, Hum Tumhare Saath Hain’, the AAP Convenor continued, “I have heard that the people of Gujarat put their heart and soul in their work, that they are highly emotional, and once they develop a bond with someone, they cherish it for life. Kejriwal is very similar to the people of Gujarat when it comes to emotions and giving love. Once he forms a bond, he too celebrates it for life. I have come here today to develop that bond, that relationship with all 6.5 crores of you. I do not know how to practise petty politics, nor do I know anything about corruption and looting; all I know is how to get the work done.

Speaking about the education sector, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “I spoke to many people here and found out about the dismal state of government schools in Gujarat today. I was informed that an appalling 6,000 schools have been shut by the current Gujarat Government in the name of mergers. The remaining schools have such poor conditions that they are not fit for students to sit and study in – with collapsing walls, doors and windows rusting away, a single teacher to look after 7-8 classes all at once, or in some cases no teachers at all. We can only imagine the adverse ways this is affecting the lives of lacs of children in Gujarat, snatching their future from them. But this can be changed. The Aam Aadmi Party knows how to bring about this change. We have done it in Delhi before: the government schools there were in an abysmal condition when we formed the government; no students or teachers would show up, infrastructure was deteriorating, and there was no trace of education, but the poor were compelled to send their children to these excuses for schools. No one wanted to send their kids to Delhi’s government schools initially, but 7 years down the line, the same schools have been completely revolutionised into state-of-the-art educational institutes where 4 lac students transferred from private schools this year. What could be more concrete proof of the phenomenal transformation of Delhi’s government schools than this? Several wealthy lawyers and doctors have pulled their children out of private schools to enrol them in Delhi Government’s schools instead. Today, the child of a judge, an officer, as well as a rickshaw driver are all sitting at a single desk and studying together.”

He continued, “This was the dream envisioned by Babasaheb Ambedkar – a dream which was not fulfilled for over 75 years since India gained its independence. However, I have sworn to ensure that Babasaheb’s dreams are realised; _Baba Tera Sapna Adhoora, Kejriwal Karega Poora_. This year’s results from Delhi’s government schools also speak for themselves – a staggering 99.7% of the students from class 12 passed with flying colours. This is a result unlike any other in the history of independent India. Other states normally fare numbers like 40-60%, but Delhi received a phenomenal 99.7%. The reason behind this is the transformation of schools, teachers, and the entire education model in Delhi. However, when it was announced that I am coming to Gujarat on a visit, the BJP began circulating hoaxes about how ‘the Kejriwal government’s schools are downtrodden and in poor condition’ on WhatsApp. Both Shri Chhotubhai Vasava and Shri Maheshbhai Vasava recently visited Delhi, where we took them to see our government schools. Both of them were so thrilled after visiting Delhi Government’s schools, hospitals, and Mohalla Clinics that they remarked that such schools and hospitals should be developed in Gujarat as well.”

Shri Arvind Kejriwal further said, “Through the medium of this platform and this Jansabha, I would like to invite Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel to come and visit our schools and hospitals in Delhi, and to not baselessly criticise them. For the past 27 years, the BJP has ruled over Gujarat, and all they did was wreck the already abysmal education system and leave the schools in ruins. If given another 5 years, the BJP government will do absolutely nothing to change the status quo, and simply continue their looting and ransacking. Gujarat will not see a single trace of improvement if this party of plunderers is voted to power again. But you give one chance to the Aam Aadmi Party – if we do not fix every single school in the next five years, you must feel free to kick me out of power.”

He added, “The sole contribution of the BJP government in Gujarat, however, must not be overlooked. They have a commendable reputation for leaking papers, and have broken world records when it comes to this. Even the Guinness Book of World Records wants to publish BJP’s name for leaking papers. The 2014 JPSC Paper Leak, 2015 Talati Paper Leak, Talati Surendra Nagar in 2016, Gandhinagar Paper Leak, 2018 TET Paper Leak in 2018, Chief Sevika Paper Leak in 2018, Nayak Chitnis Paper Leak in 2018, Lok Rakshak Dal Paper Leak in 2018, Clerk Paper Leak in 2019, Head Clerk Paper Leak in 2021, Gujarat Energy Corporation Paper Leak in 2022, Exam Paper leaks of 10th boards, class 7th and Surat University are just a few examples of an endless sea of instances of paper leaks by this wonderful Gujarat Government. These people have accomplished incredible feats. CM Bhupendra Patel was reportedly giving a speech somewhere, stating that he will ensure tremendous growth for the people of Gujarat. A child suddenly objected and asked him to present a paper that hasn’t been leaked. I challenge CM Bhupendra Patel, organise one exam without a paper leak, the whole country is looking at you.”

He continued, “we have made government hospitals spectacular in Delhi. The driver of the car I was coming from this morning was also from a tribal area. I asked him where do you go if someone gets sick in the tribal regions? He told me that many times they go to the quacks inside the village. Otherwise, they go to a private doctor in the city. The condition in the government hospitals is very bad. Earlier government hospitals in Delhi were also terrible. Medicines were not available, machines were faulty, tests were not done. Everything was horrible. But in five years in Delhi, there is such a system now that we have started a Mohalla Clinic across the state. We are giving complete treatment to 20 million people in Delhi for free. If there is a major ailment in your house today, you have to spend 70, 80 or even 90 lakhs. But in Delhi, you need not worry, the Delhi Government will treat you for free. We will do this in Gujarat too. This time the government of Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) will be formed. In Delhi, electricity is free while in Gujarat it is the most expensive in India. The people of Delhi are getting electricity 24 hours a day for free. The people of Delhi are getting free electricity because they elected a very honest government for Delhi. I don't take bribes and nor does my party. We saved money on every project. We stopped bribery. With that money we made electricity free. These BJP people abuse me a lot. BJP people say that Kejriwal is giving everything for free. I'm honest, so I'm giving everything for free. You guys are dishonest, that's why you're not doing the same. There is only one measure or parameter of honesty, whoever gives free electricity is honest and the one who gives expensive electricity is corrupt. The people of Gujarat also need free 24x7 electricity. Only AAP can do this.”

The AAP National Convener said, “today the educated youth of Gujarat are wandering around for employment. In the last 5 years in Delhi, we have provided employment to 12 lakh children. We have made a plan to provide 20 lakh more jobs in the next 5 years. I want to appeal to the youth of Gujarat — only the Aam Aadmi Party cares for youth and is honest. Everyone should join the Aam Aadmi Party and together build a Gujarat of the future. I don't know how to do politics. I know how to work. If you want schools, if you want hospitals, if you want employment, then vote for AAP, and if you want dirty politics, if you want corruption, if you want hooliganism, then vote for the BJP.”

He added, “I am educated, I am an engineer, I am very honest. The Central Government raided my office and home through the CBI, Income Tax and ED, but could find nothing. That is why I am standing in front of you, if they had found anything, they would have opened my file and kept it and I too would have been in their clutches. Today I speak openly because I am totally honest and a staunch deshbhakt. The Aam Aadmi Party is a party of honest people, a party of decent people, a party of educated people, a party of staunch patriots. Today I appeal to all the youths of Gujarat to join the Aam Aadmi Party. I also appeal to women that the future of your children is at stake. If you continue to vote for BJP and Congress, the future of your children is not going to improve. Five years will go into vain. There is not much time left. This time, these parties have to be uprooted and thrown out.

He continued, “I found a BJP leader while coming today. I started talking to them. I said why don't you people do some work in Gujarat? When we did so much work in 7 years in Delhi, why didn't you guys do it in 27 years? So he said why do we need to work? We are getting power just like that, people are voting for us. What do we work for? Congress is in our pocket, all Congress leaders are in our jails. Any leader, whether he fights on the ticket of Congress or on the ticket of BJP, whenever we want, comes to us. We do not need to fight elections like you. Arrogance and ego are taking over the BJP. I want to tell the 6.50 crore people of Gujarat to break their arrogance and ego once and for all., Vote for the Aam Aadmi Party once even if it is for breaking their arrogance, if you don't like our work, then vote for them next time. I have heard that Gujarat elections are coming soon. There is a lot of discussion in Gujarat and Delhi on this issue. They are afraid of the Aam Aadmi Party because we first formed the government in Delhi, then formed in Punjab, now it is the turn of Gujarat. We will form the government in Gujarat. That’s why they are saying don't give them time till December. If they get time, Gujarat will be swept clean by the broom. We have the support of the Lord and the affection of the public with. We are walking on the path of truth. We are honest people. You hold elections today, or six months later, this time the fate is clear. I want to appeal to the Congress leaders that the Congress is finished now. The Congress has nothing left to fight for. So voting for Congress is also useless. I want to appeal to the good leaders of the Congress to come to the Aam Aadmi Party. Together we will fix Gujarat, but mind you those who are corrupt must stay there. I also want to appeal to BJP leaders to do the same. Gujarat is being ruined by their party, if they are well-meaning, honest and clean they are welcome, otherwise they can stay where they are.”

Shri Arvind Kejriwal concluded, “A major issue with Gujarat’s leadership that troubles me is that the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat is CR Patil, a Maharashtra resident. The BJP failed to even find a leader hailing from Gujarat to be the president of the state’s unit. This is an insult for the 6.5 crore people of Gujarat. No other party has humiliated the country more than the BJP. They are trying to run the state of Gujarat by handing over all the affairs to someone from Maharashtra. This will not be tolerated by the people of Gujarat. You must turn the upcoming election into a revolution. This time, mere elections will not be held but the foundation for change and for a new Gujarat will be laid.”

Shri Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "CR Patil of Maharashtra is the Gujarat BJP President; how come the BJP did not find a single Gujarati for the position of president? People say that he is not only the president, but the man who pulls all the strings when it comes to running the Gujarat Government – that he is in fact the true Chief Minister. This is a slap in the face to the Gujaratis. The BJP must give Gujarat a state president who hails from Gujarat itself.”