Kejriwal's Guj visit cancelled due to BJP pressure: AAP claims

A fresh row erupted today with AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal's scheduled visit to Surat being cancelled after a trade body withdrew its invitation, which the party alleged was at the behest of state BJP government and came out with a "sting operation" to back its claim.
AAP's Delhi MLA and party observer for Gujarat, Gulab Singh Yadav claimed, "the sting operation (by AAP) proves the (South Gujarat) university authorities have buckled under the pressure exerted by Gujarat government".
The varsity's hall was booked for the AAP function by the Surat Vehapari Mahamandal.
Earlier in the day, AAP state chief Kanu Kalsaria said that 'Surat Vehapari Mahamandal' had invited the Delhi Chief Minister for felicitation and speech on July 10.

"Kejriwalji was to start his 2017 election campaign for Gujarat by visiting Somnath temple on July 9 and Surat the next day," he told PTI.
He claimed the trade body had booked a hall of (Veer Narmad) South Gujarat University for the function after proper written invitation, to which Kejriwal had given a date of July 10.

"However, the trade body comprising small traders of Surat buckled under pressure and has withdrawn the invitation. The hall booking has also been cancelled by the South Gujarat University," Kalsaria said.
He said AAP tried to convince the trade body but "they told us that it was hard to sustain the pressure exerted by the state government".

"The South Gujarat University told us that they have withdrawn the permission to hold the function in their premises on July 10 as they have another function on the same day. We don't know how true is that," Kalsaria said.
Meanwhile, Yadav claimed the sting video "proves" AAP's charge of political interference.
"In the sting video, university officials can be heard telling AAP workers that the varsity hall will not be given if Kejriwal attends the event. In another video, president of traders body, Jay Lal can be seen admitting that he was under pressure and asked to cancel the event by some leaders in Gandhinagar.

"This shows that BJP and it's leaders are afraid of AAP's entry in Gujarat. This is sheer arrogance and dictatorial approach of CM Anandiben Patel. People of Gujarat will give a befitting reply to BJP in coming elections," Yadav told reporters.
He said the sting operation was conducted by AAP workers on Monday itself.
However, refuting the AAP charge of arm-twisting by government, state BJP said the Surat event was cancelled after the trade body realised that AAP wanted to use its platform to further their political agenda.