NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh took a swipe at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, sparking controversy with his “work from jail” remark.
Addressing the crowd gathered in support of BJP’s Fatehgarh Sahib candidate Gejja Ram Valmiki, Singh didn’t mince words as he targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, citing Kejriwal’s recent brush with the law in a money-laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.
Singh took a swipe at Kejriwal’s decision to continue holding office despite facing legal troubles, asserting that leaders should exhibit moral courage by resigning from their positions if faced with allegations until they are cleared of charges.
Referring to Kejriwal’s temporary relief from jail, granted by the Supreme Court until the end of the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, “We know about work from office, I have heard about work from home but this is the first time I am hearing about work from jail.”
The defence minister said he thinks every leader should have the moral courage to resign from their post if they face any allegation until being cleared of the charges. This is morality, he said.
“AAP leader Kejriwal was jailed in the liquor scam. Even after that, he says he will continue to occupy the chief minister’s post. He says he will work from jail,” Singh said.
The Supreme Court granted AAP supremo Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the last day of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, and directed him to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
“We know about work from office, I have heard about work from home but this is the first time I am hearing about work from jail,” Singh said in a dig at the Delhi chief minister.
The defence minister didn’t stop there, also criticizing Kejriwal’s political journey from the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare to the formation of AAP. “But Kejriwal did not listen to his guru. And he formed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP),” he said.
Singh accused Kejriwal of exploiting the movement for personal gain and highlighted his alleged reneging on promises, including his pledge to not live in a government accommodation if elected chief minister.
“But he later turned the chief minister’s residence into a ‘sheesh mahal’ and used crores of public money on it,” he said.
The veteran BJP leader also referred to the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal in Kejriwal’s residence by his aide Bibhav Kumar, who has since been arrested in this connection.
“She was badly beaten. And now he (Kejriwal) is giving speeches before the people of the country,” Singh noted.
“You must be thinking why I am speaking in such anger. A mother, a sister can be from any caste, community or political outfit. For us, she is a mother, a daughter,” he said and added respect for women is integral to Indian culture.
Kejriwal maintained silence on the issue for “15 days”, the defence minister claimed.
“Inside your home, your party MP is beaten up and you remain silent. I want to ask you, does such a person have the right to continue as chief minister?” Rajnath said.
He also attacked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the rally.
“The Punjab chief minister comes from this party (AAP) and treats him (Kejriwal) as leader. When his leader Kejriwal can be like this, what must his (Mann’s) situation be? God knows!” Singh said.
Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats go to the polls on June 1.
(With inputs from agencies)
Addressing the crowd gathered in support of BJP’s Fatehgarh Sahib candidate Gejja Ram Valmiki, Singh didn’t mince words as he targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, citing Kejriwal’s recent brush with the law in a money-laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.
Singh took a swipe at Kejriwal’s decision to continue holding office despite facing legal troubles, asserting that leaders should exhibit moral courage by resigning from their positions if faced with allegations until they are cleared of charges.
Referring to Kejriwal’s temporary relief from jail, granted by the Supreme Court until the end of the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, “We know about work from office, I have heard about work from home but this is the first time I am hearing about work from jail.”
The defence minister said he thinks every leader should have the moral courage to resign from their post if they face any allegation until being cleared of the charges. This is morality, he said.
“AAP leader Kejriwal was jailed in the liquor scam. Even after that, he says he will continue to occupy the chief minister’s post. He says he will work from jail,” Singh said.
The Supreme Court granted AAP supremo Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the last day of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, and directed him to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
“We know about work from office, I have heard about work from home but this is the first time I am hearing about work from jail,” Singh said in a dig at the Delhi chief minister.
The defence minister didn’t stop there, also criticizing Kejriwal’s political journey from the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare to the formation of AAP. “But Kejriwal did not listen to his guru. And he formed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP),” he said.
Singh accused Kejriwal of exploiting the movement for personal gain and highlighted his alleged reneging on promises, including his pledge to not live in a government accommodation if elected chief minister.
“But he later turned the chief minister’s residence into a ‘sheesh mahal’ and used crores of public money on it,” he said.
The veteran BJP leader also referred to the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal in Kejriwal’s residence by his aide Bibhav Kumar, who has since been arrested in this connection.
“She was badly beaten. And now he (Kejriwal) is giving speeches before the people of the country,” Singh noted.
“You must be thinking why I am speaking in such anger. A mother, a sister can be from any caste, community or political outfit. For us, she is a mother, a daughter,” he said and added respect for women is integral to Indian culture.
Kejriwal maintained silence on the issue for “15 days”, the defence minister claimed.
“Inside your home, your party MP is beaten up and you remain silent. I want to ask you, does such a person have the right to continue as chief minister?” Rajnath said.
He also attacked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the rally.
“The Punjab chief minister comes from this party (AAP) and treats him (Kejriwal) as leader. When his leader Kejriwal can be like this, what must his (Mann’s) situation be? God knows!” Singh said.
Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats go to the polls on June 1.
(With inputs from agencies)
