Delhi election 2015: Despite EC rap, Kejriwal repeats bribery jibe

NEW DELHI: Unfazed by the rap it received from Election Commission, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday repeated his bribery remark against opposition parties at two election rallies. Addressing public meetings in Kasturba Nagar and Jangpura assembly constituencies, Kejriwal said, “Accept money from both the parties and vote for AAP. Come February 1 and both Congress and BJP will distribute money.They have fooled you for a long time. Now, it’s time to fool them.”
He also regretted the fact that resigning as Delhi CM was a mistake and assured the voters, “This time I will work for a full five-year term. I won’t resign.” A number of workers from BJP and BSP joined AAP at these rallies.
What came as a big boost for AAP, however, was the turnout of nearly 1,000 people at both the rallies, who defied inclement weather to listen to Kejriwal’s speech. Being a holiday on account of Republic Day, Amar Colony market wore a deserted look. But the atmosphere changed completely once AAP workers entered the market shouting slogans such as “Paanch saal Kejriwal”. The AAP chief started his speech by saying, “It must be clear to BJP and Congress that Kasturba Nagar is again going to AAP’s kitty.” Market association members and traders turned up in good numbers.
Similar response came from Jangpura where a significant number of Muslim community members and voters from slum clusters joined the rally.
Kejriwal said that BJP has foreseen the results and that is why it has fielded Kiran Bedi as its chief ministerial candidate at the last moment. “When on February 10, BJP will look for a reason why they lost, they will say it is because of Kiran-ji. I have a lot of respect for her, but I don’t know why she can’t see this plain conspiracy against her.”
Local councilor Kusum Lata, who won the last civic elections with the highest margin as an Independent candidate, joined AAP during the rally.
Accepting that resigning as the CM was a mistake, Kejriwal said: “I am new to politics and there is a lot to learn. The first lesson I learnt in politics is not to resign come what may.”