Kejriwal dubs Khadse a "traitor" but supports Hardik Patel

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jun 04 2016 | 7:57 PM IST
AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today dubbed former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse a "traitor" for his alleged conversation with Dawood Ibrahim, while coming out in support of Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who is lodged in jail over alleged seditions charges.
Kejriwal, whose party is trying to get a foothold in BJP ruled Gujarat, said Patel has been charged with sedition even when he has not done anything against the country, but on the other hand alleged call records show that Dawood Ibrahim, one of India's most wanted criminals working against the nation, made calls to Khadse.
Khadse was in the eye of a storm over allegations of corruption including irregularities in a land deal resigned today.
The AAP also alleged that he received calls from Ibrahim, a charge which was not only refuted by Khadse, but also by the Mumbai Police which gave him a clean chit.
Kejriwal said the real test for the BJP will be if Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje also resign.
"Now there is a minister from Maharashtra (Eknath) Khadse sahab. Through (call) records, his talks with Dawood Ibrahim, who works against the country, have come to light. Then Khadse is a traitor and not Hardik Patel.
"The government does not take action against Khadse sahab. It takes action against Hardik Patel. How is Hardik Patel a traitor? Traitors are leaders like Khadse," Kejriwal said in a video posted on Aam Aadmi Party's twitter handle.
Kejriwal said one may not agree with Patel or have difference of opinion, but he has not acted against the country. The AAP chief said people of Gujarat are angry and upset over the sedition charges slapped on the Patidar leader, who is in jail since October last year.
The AAP chief said terming Patel a traitor is like terming lakhs of Gujaratis traitor.
"What is Hardik Patel's mistake? He raised his voice for Gujaratis and his community, he struggled for their rights. He never raised voice against India. He never supported forces trying to break the country.
"Lakhs of Gujaratis were saying what Hardik Patel is saying. Then have lakhs of Gujaratis become traitors? So, terming Gujaratis traitors, insult Gujaratis is not good. This is wrong," Kejriwal said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 04 2016 | 7:57 PM IST

Next Story