Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Delhi elections 2015: Arvind Kejriwal's roadshow today, nomination tomorrow - Times of India

Debarjun Saha | 03:27 |

NEW DELHI: In a big show of strength, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a roadshow ahead of the February 7 assembly polls.

Kejriwal was, however, forced to postpone the filing of his nomination papers for the New Delhi assembly constituency to tomorrow after he failed to meet the deadline.

Kejriwal called the upcoming polls a 'dharma yudh' of truth versus the bad and corruption as he launched the roadshow in the national capital.

The roadshow, which began from Valmiki Mandir in the heart of the capital would end at Jantar Mantar.

Valmiki Mandir was where Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Swachh Bharat (Clean India) campaign in October 2014.

The former Delhi chief minister stood atop a truck, along with party colleague Manish Sisodia and other supporters, waving to his supporters.

Hundreds of supporters joined him, raising slogans, singing and dancing. The AAP chief had tweeted an appeal to D elhiites to "take a chhutti (leave) n join me" for the roadshow. Flash mobs also danced during the roadshow.


"The roadshow will keep away from India Gate and all those areas which have been locked down for Republic Day.

READ ALSO: India Gate on lockdown: Lawns closed for public

The party used roadshows as a highly effective mechanism for generating a buzz around its campaign during the 2013 assembly elections and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In 2013, seven such roadshows had been planned and between 3,000 and 4,000 people had joined in. This time, since it is unlikely that there will be more shows, the party is leaving no stone unturned to make it a success.


In these polls, his opponents will be Congress's Kiran Walia and young BJP member Nupur Sharma.

Delhi elections 2015: Who said what

Earlier, BJP's chief ministerial nominee Kiran Bedi dodged Arvind Kejriwal's challenge for an open debate on crucial issues facing the city while Congress's Ajay Maken expressed readiness for such a "healthy" exercise in the run up to the assembly polls.

Throwing the challenge to Bedi, Kejriwal said such a debate will be a "good initiative" as people will know about plans and policies of the two main parties for the city which will help them in understanding various issues.

READ ALSO: I believe in delivery of services, Kejriwal believes in debates, Kiran Bedi says

65-year-old Bedi, who had joined BJP last week and was named its chief ministerial nominee last night, said she "accepted" the challenge but will only deba te with him on the floor of Delhi assembly and not during the campaign.

"I accept the challenge. I will do it in the Assembly and before that I am focusing on delivery rather than on debates because that's what he's been doing. He's only been debating. What I am doing is delivery of goals, services, programmes," said Bedi.

When told that Congress' Maken has also welcomed the move, Bedi, who will contest from BJP's traditional stronghold of Krishna Nagar in East Delhi, retorted, "While they are into drama, I am focused on work. These two have been indulging in drama. They have been doing it together also. I am focusing on work at this point."

READ ALSO: Congress leader Ajay Maken ready for public debate

Earlier, Kejriwal, who had worked with Bedi as part of Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal movement before they parted ways, said both the leaders can debate on "concrete issues" for 1-2 hours.

"It will be a good initiative for democracy if there is a debate between us on different issues. People vote in the name of religion and caste. They are not aware of the issues.

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