Arvind Kejriwal in Gujarat (Photo Credit: Social Media)
New Delhi:
Aam Aadmi Party kicked off its campaign for the poll-bound state of Gujarat with unprecedented support of the people today. National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal led a massive Tiranga Yatra in the very heart of Ahmedabad as he batted for the politics of change and progress. The Delhi CM stated — BJP has gotten so arrogant that it has stopped listening to its people after 27 years of rule; Gujarat needs a government that listens to the voice of the people. Our aim is not to defeat BJP or Congress. Our aim is to make the country win. Gujarat should win; Like Delhi, corruption must be eliminated from Gujarat to enable public welfare. We have completely eliminated corruption from Delhi and ensured free education, healthcare, power and water for all. AAP’s Punjab Government has eradicated corruption from the state too and announced the generation of 25,000 jobs. Gujarat has given these leaders 25 years, they must give one chance to AAP too. Delhi and Punjab have done it; now it is Gujarat’s time to give us one chance and walk on the path of development. I had the good fortune of visiting the Sabarmati Ashram; it feels like Mahatma Gandhi’s soul still resides here. Coming to the ashram filled me with spirituality. I consider myself blessed that I was born in the same country as Mahatma Gandhi. Also present on the occasion was Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Mann who stated that his government has banned private schools from increasing their fees in Punjab and people can now buy books-uniforms from any shop they want now.
AAP National Convenor Shri Arvind Kejriwal is on a crucial two day visit to Punjab ahead of the run up to the polls in the state of Gujarat. He began his day with a tour of the Sabarmati Ashram in the company of Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann and took blessings from the site that embodies the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The two later proceeded to lead a massive Tiranga Yatra in the heart of Ahmedabad from Khodiyar Temple, Uttamnagar. The rally saw an unprecedented crowd come out to the streets in support of the Aam Aadmi Party. Rajya Sabha MP-elect Shri Raghav Chadha and other senior leaders including Gujarat State Convenor Shri Gopal Italia, Shri Isudan Gadhvi and Shri Manoj Sooratiya were present during the visit.
Encouraging chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “We don’t know how to practise politics; we simply know how to practise patriotism. The universe is giving us a sign, and working its miracles – otherwise I am but an insignificant man. Ten years ago, no one knew the name ‘Arvind Kejriwal’ in the country. However, with a fortunate turn of events, the Aam Aadmi Party formed its government in Delhi, then in Punjab several years down the line – so greater powers are clearly at work here. In Delhi, we revolutionised and improved government schools and hospitals, ended corruption, and ensured 24x7 and free supply of electricity. Sardar Bhagwant Mann has been the CM of Punjab for a mere ten days as of now; but in these ten days he has eradicated Punjab of corruption completely, and he has already issued orders capping the fees of private schools, and to create 25,000 new government jobs for Punjab’s youth. Today someone living in Gujarat approached me and said that after 25 years of rule, the BJP has completely stopped listening to the people of Gujarat because they are now filled with arrogance. We have not come here to defeat the BJP or the Congress, but to lead our nation and the state of Gujarat to victory – a victory full of progress and development. You gave a chance to the BJP for 25 years, now give the Aam Aadmi Party one chance the way the people of Delhi and Punjab did, and we will ensure the progress of all 6.5 crore people of Gujarat, and take the state forward.”
Shri Arvind Kejriwal further tweeted, “BJP has gotten arrogant after 27 years of rule. It has stopped listening to the voice of the people. Gujarat needs a government that listens to the voice of the people. Our aim is not to defeat BJP or Congress. Our aim is to make the country win. Gujarat should win; Like Delhi, corruption must be eliminated from Gujarat and public work should be done.”
Addressing the Tiranga Yatra, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Mann said, “The love and respect that you have showered us with today will forever be imprinted on our hearts. The way the people of Gujarat have come out on the streets in such large numbers bearing the country’s beloved Tiranga in your hands has made us immensely happy. In Punjab, we have ordered private schools that no one can increase their fees. The school administration will not ask to buy books from a specific shop. Now people can buy books from any shop. If education becomes a commodity for sale then how will the country progress? I was asked by a journalist how the Aam Aadmi Party wiped out the Congress and the BJP in Delhi. I asked what our election symbol is? He said broom. I said where does the lotus flower grow? The journalist said that in the mud. I said what is the job of a broom? Then he said to clean the mud. I said we cleaned the mud up. Together with the support of the people, this mud will have to be cleaned in Gujarat too. We were born out of a movement. Aam Aadmi Party is the only party which makes MLAs out of farmers’ children. Otherwise, Congress and BJP make 80 year old PMs who can barely hold themselves.”
Tiranga Yatra’s centre of attraction: Delhi’s world renowned Mohalla Clinic
A glimpse of the world famous Mohalla Clinics of Delhi was also seen in the Tiranga Yatra organised by Aam Aadmi Party in Ahmedabad. The tableau of Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic was the centre of attraction in the roadshow. Through this tableau, it was portrayed how the Kejriwal government in Delhi has made medical treatment free of cost for all the residents of Delhi. All medicines, tests and treatment are completely free in Delhi.
After taking a tour of the Sabarmati Ashram and trying a hand at the Charkha, Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “We have come on a crucial visit to Gujrarat for two days. Today, to seek Gandhi ji’s blessings, Sardar Bhagwant Mann and I have come to the Sabarmati Ashram. It was a heartening experience to visit this renowned ashram. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate that we were born on the same soil at Mahatma Gandhi. This is my first visit to the Sabarmati Ashram after becoming the Chief Minister; however, prior to that when I was an activist, I would come here quite often. Every time I visit this sacred place, an aura of peace takes over and it feels as if the soul of the Mahatma still lingers around. I am deeply elated to have the privilege of being here today.”
The Delhi CM further tweeted, "Had the good fortune of visiting Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat today. This ashram is a spiritual place, it seems as if the revered soul of Gandhiji still resides here. Coming here gives one a spiritual feeling. I consider myself blessed that I was born in the country in which Gandhiji was born."
Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann added, “I belong to the land of martyrs – Lala Lajpat Rai, Madanlal Dhingra, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Veer Udham Singh. Every town and village in India still echoes the legends of these iconic freedom fighters, their unforgettable sacrifice, and their unparalleled love for the nation. So I am more than honoured and delighted to have had the opportunity to visit Gandhi ji’s Sabarmati Ashram, to get a glimpse of his life through his handwritten letters, and to learn more about the various movements he initiated to lead India to independence. It is a tradition in my family, as well as most Punjabi families, for women to get together and sing cultural songs and weave the yarn on the charkha, the spinning wheel – which is something I have witnessed growing up. And today, I had the chance to try my hand at Mahatma Gandhi’s renowned Charkha itself – which was a symbol of self-reliance and determination for our nation during the freedom struggle. We are ardent nationalists, we love our country above all else. This is my first visit here as well since taking to the Chief Minister office in Punjab, and I believe that the people of Gujarat are, and always have been, eminent contributors to the progress and security of our nation.”
CM Arvind Kejriwal’s steps into the life of Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram
At around 10.30 am, AAP National Convenor Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. At Sabarmati Ashram the two experienced the life of Mahatma Gandhi through memorabilia as the staff of the Ashram talked in detail about the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom movement of India. The two AAP CMs also visited Mahatma Gandhi's personal room and the community kitchen and later saw Mahatma Gandhi's ashes and belongings brought from abroad. Both the leaders then went on to cut yarn by spinning the Charkha and took blessings by garlanding the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The staff apprised the CMs about how Gandhiji started the movement against untouchability from Sabarmati Ashramand the establishment of Navjeevan Press. They further learnt in detail about his writings in newspapers and his arrests, burning of foreign clothes, Kasturba Gandhi's life, Dandi March, Satyagraha Movement and the like.
