Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, arrived in Guwahati on Sunday, days after being threatened with a defamation case by the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma. Kejriwal invited Sarma to tea and lunch at his residence in the national capital and criticized the Assam CM’s threats, calling them unbecoming of a chief minister.
“Himanta Babu (Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma) has been threatening since two days that he will put me in jail, am I a terrorist? Hemanta became the Chief Minister but could not learn the culture of Assam,” he said.
Sarma had threatened to file a defamation case against Kejriwal if he alleged corruption cases against him. “Let Kejriwal come here on April 2 and say that I am corrupt. The next day, I will file a defamation case against him as I have done against (AAP leader) Manish Sisodia,” Sarma had said. Kejriwal had reportedly made comments about corruption cases against Sarma in the Delhi Assembly.
Kejriwal praised the high energy levels and excitement of the people and expressed gratitude for the love shown to the Aam Aadmi Party. He remarked that the overwhelming support made it seem like the people could overthrow the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP Government immediately. However, he urged patience and emphasized that the process of overthrowing the government would require time.
The Delhi CM expressed gratitude to the 3.5 crore residents of Assam for extending an invitation to himself, Sardar Bhagwant Mann, and the Aam Aadmi Party. Drawing a comparison, he noted that the AAP-led Government in Delhi was established in 2015, whereas the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government came to power in Assam in 2016. Kejriwal highlighted that Delhi has witnessed significant improvements in the quality of schools and hospitals, but the BJP government in Assam has failed to deliver any such benefits to its citizens.
Kejriwal accused the BJP in Assam of engaging in negative politics and revealed that in the past two days, the state’s CM had threatened to jail him on national television. Expressing surprise, Kejriwal asked, “Am I a terrorist that the Assam CM will put me in jail?” He further added that the CM may have acquired his position of power, but he has failed to understand or respect the cultural heritage of the residents of Assam.
Upon landing at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Kejriwal criticized Sarma’s remarks and said, “People of Assam are very good. They welcome their guests. Himanta Biswa Sarma should learn from them.”
Kejriwal then addressed a Sankalp Sabha and promised free electricity and jobs for all youths in Assam if his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is voted to power in the Northeastern state. He claimed that the AAP government changed the face of Delhi in seven years and accused the BJP of engaging in “dirty politics” in Assam.
Kejriwal also promised to provide piped water to all households of Guwahati within a year of the AAP government in the state. The AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab have been providing free electricity to their states, and it will be the same in Assam if the party forms government, Kejriwal said at the rally. He also assured of providing jobs for all unemployed youths of Assam if AAP is voted to power. Kejriwal added that the party had given employment to 12 lakh people in Delhi in seven years and 28,000 people in one year in Punjab.During the event, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the residents of Assam to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party in the upcoming state assembly elections. He emphasized that electing AAP would enable them to receive the same level of facilities that are available in Delhi and Punjab.
Mann also expressed his reverence for the state of Assam, highlighting that it is blessed by the Goddess Kamakhya and has been home to numerous influential figures who have dedicated their lives to the state. He further commented on the natural beauty of Assam, mentioning its picturesque rivers, mountains, and valleys, especially the Brahmaputra river. However, he lamented the fact that the state’s abundant resources, including minerals and mines, have been misused and damaged by politicians.