Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, instructed BJP members in Gujarat, which is going to the polls on Saturday, to “push for AAP from the inside.” On the last day of his two-day tour to the state, the AAP convener issued the appeal.
“I would like to tell all the BJP workers to stay there (in the BJP) but work for the AAP. You are smart, work for AAP from the inside. Take the payment from BJP but work for us, because we do not have money,” he was quoted by news agency PTI. “When we form a government, we will provide free electricity, and this will apply to your houses as well,” he said during a press conference in Rajkot.
“We will provide you with free, 24-hour power, and build good schools for your children where they will get a free education. We will ensure free and quality treatment for your family members and offer 1,000 to women (as an allowance) in your family,” the Delhi CM said in his appeal to the saffron party workers.
Welfare reforms are frequently promoted by AAP during its election campaigns.
AAP general secretary Manoj Sorathiya was recently attacked, and Kejriwal brought up the incident, saying the AAP is “not like Congress” and “cannot be frightened” by the ruling party. “We are not going to be scared. We are not cowards. We will fight hard against injustice and corruption. Six crore people of Gujarat now have an alternative (in AAP). They will respond to the 27 years of misgovernance (of BJP)”, he said.
Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will hold its assembly elections in December.
The most recent election took place in 2017, and the Congress faced off against the BJP as the main opposition. Congress witnessed an increase in its vote share and number of members despite losing compared to 2012 figures.