Arvind Kejriwal Exclusive: Not in a 'Permanent Marriage' with Congress!

Exclusive: Arvind Kejriwal States He's Not in a 'Permanent Marriage' with Congress

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the AAP's primary objective, for the time being, is to thwart the BJP. He clarified that there's no intention to step down from his position as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Kejriwal further asserted that if the BJP emerges victorious, Yogi Adityanath's future could be uncertain. Regarding the AAP's alliance with the Congress, Kejriwal highlighted that it isn't a permanent arrangement, emphasizing that both parties joined forces solely to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha election. In an exclusive interview with India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, Kejriwal hinted at a significant development scheduled for June 4, anticipating a victory for the opposition INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha polls.

"It's imperative to safeguard the country. AAP and Congress collaborated wherever necessary to form alliances and fielded a single candidate to defeat the BJP. In Punjab, the BJP holds no significant presence," he remarked.

'WON'T STEP DOWN AS DELHI CHIEF MINISTER'
Asserting his stance, the AAP leader stated that he wouldn't succumb to pressure, firmly stating that resigning from his position as the Chief Minister of Delhi is out of the question.

Addressing his arrest in the now-defunct Delhi liquor policy case, Kejriwal remarked, "My return to prison isn't a concern. The future of our nation is at stake... They can detain me for however long they please, but I won't yield."

"There's no chance of resigning as Delhi Chief Minister just because the BJP desires it," he reiterated.

Kejriwal, currently out on interim bail, is required to surrender before jail authorities on June 2 as per the Supreme Court's directive. This interim bail was granted to him to facilitate his campaign in the Lok Sabha polls.

The AAP leader cautioned that if the BJP secured a third term in power, all prominent opposition figures could face imprisonment, drawing parallels with the political landscape in Russia under Vladimir Putin.

Furthermore, he alleged that AAP leaders Satyender Jain and Manish Sisodia received messages in jail, proposing their entry into the BJP in exchange for bail in their respective cases. Jain is detained in connection with a 2017 money laundering case, while Sisodia is incarcerated in the liquor policy case.

However, Kejriwal declined to comment on the alleged assault case involving AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, citing ongoing legal proceedings.

'YOGI ADITYANATH'S FUTURE UNCERTAIN'
Reiterating his stance, the Delhi Chief Minister asserted that if Prime Minister Modi secured victory, the future of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would be questionable. "I stand by my statement: if PM Modi wins, Yogi Adityanath's future will be uncertain. The BJP can refute this if they wish," he affirmed.