Kejriwal tears into Modi's Gujarat model
Says development only of Adanis and Ambanis, and not for the common man and farmers
 "Kejriwal tears into Modi's Gujarat model")
Even as protests against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Gujarat continued on the second day on Thursday, the anti-corruption crusader tore into Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Gujarat model’ of development, terming it ‘bakwas’ (nonsense).
Only the Adanis and Ambanis have developed in Gujarat, Kejriwal charged, adding the common man and farmers in the state struggled under the Modi regime.
Kejriwal also apologised on behalf of the AAP workers for violence in some parts of the country, which erupted following the news of his brief detention by Gujarat police on Wednesday. He urged the AAP workers not to get intimidated by the BJP, which wants to use violence to distract them from the main issues.
Meanwhile, the Kutch Police on Thursday lodged a case of rioting against a mob of 40-50 men, who allegedly stopped Kejriwal’s convoy on Wednesday evening and attacked his car. The incident took place at Kharohi village in Bhachau taluka.
On Thursday, Kejriwal met Sikh farmers in Abdasa block of Kutch who face eviction from the land they have been tilling since generations. He also met farmers and fishermen in Mundra block. Kejriwal faced opposition at a few places where protesters were shouting slogans against him and even tried to cordon his vehicle.
At a small gathering of farmers in Gandhidham, Kejriwal said, “We had heard there was ‘Ram Rajya’ in Gujarat and education here was excellent. So, I along with Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and others came down from Delhi to study the Gujarat model of development.
Only the Adanis and Ambanis have developed in Gujarat, Kejriwal charged, adding the common man and farmers in the state struggled under the Modi regime.
Kejriwal also apologised on behalf of the AAP workers for violence in some parts of the country, which erupted following the news of his brief detention by Gujarat police on Wednesday. He urged the AAP workers not to get intimidated by the BJP, which wants to use violence to distract them from the main issues.
Meanwhile, the Kutch Police on Thursday lodged a case of rioting against a mob of 40-50 men, who allegedly stopped Kejriwal’s convoy on Wednesday evening and attacked his car. The incident took place at Kharohi village in Bhachau taluka.
On Thursday, Kejriwal met Sikh farmers in Abdasa block of Kutch who face eviction from the land they have been tilling since generations. He also met farmers and fishermen in Mundra block. Kejriwal faced opposition at a few places where protesters were shouting slogans against him and even tried to cordon his vehicle.
At a small gathering of farmers in Gandhidham, Kejriwal said, “We had heard there was ‘Ram Rajya’ in Gujarat and education here was excellent. So, I along with Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and others came down from Delhi to study the Gujarat model of development.
He said: "The farmers of the villages were unhappy because the subsidy that they used to get before Modi government was no longer available. However, the government gives land to Adani's and Ambanis at Rs 1-2 a metre. Here, subsidy is given to the rich and not the poor. Then I asked them about the claims made by Modi that Gujarat villages get 24-hour electricity supply, they said, they get electricity for eight hours a day that too only for irrigation. For houses, they get only for three hours."
"I was surprised to hear that Modiji is lying in all his speeches about the farmers and electricity issues," Kejriwal added.
The former Delhi chief minister also took on the Modi government on corruption issue, saying: "Modi claims there was no corruption in Gujarat. Modi is lying on this issue also. I have been told by people that for the post of talati (clerk) Rs 10 lakh was being demanded. One boy told me he was asked to give Rs 30 lakh for appointment to the post of assistant registrar."
Kejriwal said his fight was not against the BJP or any other party, but against corruption. "In the next one month, we have to go to the people and show them the Gujarat development model is 'bakwas' (nonsense) . Yes, there has been development but only of the Adanis and Ambanis. Farmers and common man have doomed," he said.
He added that people have voted for Modi because they are afraid of him. "I also asked people if they are unhappy with Modi, then why did they elect him thrice. They said that Modi does not allow anybody in the opposition. Those who oppose Modi are either bought off, intimidated or eliminated."
On the issue of violence in some parts of the country following his brief detention on Wednesday, Kejriwal urged his party workers not to resort to violence at any cost. "Yesterday (Wednesday) there was scuffle between BJP and AAP workers, during which BJP attacked more, but some violence also came from AAP workers. This is not correct. If we resort to violence, this entire movement will get over."
Kejriwal warned his party workers that he would have to cancel his Gujarat trip and come back to Delhi if the violence continued. "We should be ready to die, not kill. Those who take the beating are brave, and those who beat are cowards. We need to become brave and free this nation. It is my humble request to all that we do not resort to violence at any cost. I apologise on behalf of the AAP workers for yesterday's violence," he stated.