Kejriwal says Modi taking 'revenge' for losing Delhi

He called Najeeb Jung BJP's polling agent

Locked in a bitter standoff with the Centre, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being "revengeful" towards his government and the people of Delhi after BJP's staggering defeat in Delhi polls.

Kejriwal was even more strident in attacking Delhi's Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, calling him as BJP's "polling agent" who had turned his official residence into "BJP headquarters".

"Delhi people have voted for us and the rest of the country supported Modi. So please let us run Delhi and you (Modi) run the country. Don't create trouble for us everyday through the LG. This is not being a good Prime Minister. Taking revenge for losing Delhi from people and AAP is not right," he said, sending out a message to Modi.

Slamming Jung, Kejriwal said he does not give time even to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia or other Delhi ministers for a meeting or take his calls. "But if the 'chowkidar' (watchman) of (BJP President) Amit Shah calls him (LG), he will crawl and go."

Alleging that the "LG house has become another BJP headquarter", Kejriwal said, "He (LG) is acting like a poll agent of BJP."

Kejriwal, who led his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to an unprecedented poll victory in Delhi last year bagging 67 out of 70 seats, has been locked in a tussle with the LG over transfer and posting of officials.

"Narendra Modi is after us... He doesn't want us to be successful... If we replicate our success (of 67 out of 70 seats) elsewhere, it will be a big problem for BJP. That is why they have come down to take revenge against Delhi public," he told NDTV.

He said Jung's actions are "exposing" Modi because people are accusing the Prime Minister for the fight between the LG and Kejriwal's government.

Alleging that the Central government is trying to "corner us using the LG", Kejriwal asserted, "Narendra Modi should know that I am not Rahul Gandhi."

He dared the Prime Minister and the Union Home Ministry to go to court over the transfer and posting of officials, which has been a bone of contention because of jurisdictional issues.