G-8 Chief Ministers' Meet Not An Alliance Platform For Lok Sabha Polls But...: Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal invited the chief ministers of West Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and Punjab. He said that the platform was meant for the CMs to learn from each other.

According to Arvind Kejriwal, that the G-8 meeting is still being planned, and an update will be provided once a final date is agreed upon.

Source : PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has clarified that the G-8 platform, which he had invited the chief ministers of non-BJP states to, will be a governance platform and not a platform for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The invitation sent by Kejriwal to the chief ministers of seven states ruled by non-BJP parties, other than the Congress, for a dinner on March 18 had sparked rumour of a possible alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Kejriwal had described the planned dinner of the eight leaders, including himself, as the 'Progressive Chief Ministers' Group of India or G-8'. The dinner is likely to be followed by a press conference the next day.

However, during a press conference after the Delhi Budget, Kejriwal said that the G-8 platform was solely intended for governance purposes and not for building alliances ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Kejriwal said that the chief ministers were busy with the assembly sessions in their states and that the announcement regarding the G-8 platform will be made next month.

"It is a governance platform and not for alliance for 2024 Lok Sabha polls. We will go to states and visit the idea that we can learn from each other." "There have been several rounds of discussion between officers. I am violating the protocols by sharing details," Kejriwal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Kejriwal had sent the letter inviting the chief ministers of West Bengal, Bihar, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and Punjab. He added that the platform was meant for the chief ministers to visit different states and learn from each other.

“This is not a front for 2024. It is a governance platform. Like, we went to KCR’s Telangana in the past. The population of Telangana is near about four crore and everyone gets free eye tests in the state. Similarly, we announced this scheme in Delhi as well. This is a platform of governance to learn from each other,” India Today quoted him.

According to Kejriwal, that the meeting is still being planned, and an update will be provided once a final date is agreed upon. He emphasized that this gathering is a work-in-progress and is likely to take place after mid-April.