Delhi: Manish Sisodia Launches 'Padyatra' On CM Arvind Kejriwal's Birthday Amid AAP's Poll Push — WATCH

On Arvind Kejriwal's birthday, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia began an outreach foot march in Delhi as part of AAP's pre-election campaign.

Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia began his foot march outreach ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections on Arvind Kejriwal's birthday.

Source : X/@AamAadmiParty

On the birthday of jailed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia began his ‘padyatra’ (foot march outreach) in the national capital on Friday. He started this padyatra by interacting with the workers under the Greater Kailash constituency.

During this padyatra, Manish Sisodia said to ANI "The entire Delhi is my family. It feels like I am meeting my brothers and my children. Everyone is asking me if I am doing good, and that they are praying for Arvind Kejriwal to come out (of the jail). Arvind Kejriwal will be released soon too..."

#WATCH | Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia says "The entire Delhi is my family. It feels like I am meeting my brothers and my children. Everyone is asking me if I am doing good, and that they are praying for Arvind Kejriwal to come out (of the jail). Arvind Kejriwal will be… pic.twitter.com/3tEvt1KvlG

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2024

This foot march is part of a series of outreach programs planned by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of next year's Delhi assembly election, expected in February 2025. Originally scheduled to start on August 14, the march was postponed due to security concerns leading up to Independence Day.

दिल्ली की जनता के बीच पहुंचे उनके अपने @msisodia जी
#WelcomeBackManishSisodia pic.twitter.com/Kcof3mHF0W

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) August 16, 2024

"When we sought permission from the police, they advised us to delay the start by a few days due to the heightened security and vigilance around August 15. This suggestion seemed reasonable to us," said AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, as per news agency PTI.

Bharadwaj also mentioned that it might be "nature's plan" that the march is now set to begin on August 16, which coincides with Arvind Kejriwal's birthday. "According to the Hindi calendar, his birthday falls on Janmashtami, but according to the English calendar, it's on August 16. Whatever happens, happens for the best—perhaps it was meant to begin on his birthday," he added.

Rahul Gandhi Extends Birthday Wishes To Arvind Kejriwal 

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended birthday greetings to AAP national convenor and jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, expressing solidarity in his "fight against injustice."

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Heartiest birthday wishes to Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal Ji. I hope you stay healthy and happy. India is with you in this war against injustice."

दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री श्री अरविंद केजरीवाल जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।

आशा करता हूं कि आप स्वस्थ रहें, खुशहाल रहें। अन्याय के विरुद्ध इस युद्ध में INDIA आपके साथ है।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2024

Meanwhile, Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressed her gratitude for the birthday wishes sent to her husband and voiced her belief in the country’s Constitution and the Supreme Court’s role in safeguarding democracy and delivering justice in the ongoing case soon.

She wrote in her post on X, "People of Delhi are sending greetings on the birthday of their CM, Arvind Kejriwal. Thank you very much to everyone. In this political conspiracy, I have full faith that the Constitution of the country is still intact and SC will protect democracy and deliver justice soon."

दिल्ली के लोग अपने CM, अरविंद केज़रीवाल के जन्मदिन पर बधाई भेज रहें हैं। सभी को बहुत धन्यवाद । इस राजनैतिक षड्यंत्र में मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि देश का संविधान अभी क़ायम है SC लोकतंत्र की रक्षा करते हुए जल्द ही न्याय देगा।

— Sunita Kejriwal (@KejriwalSunita) August 16, 2024

Earlier in the day, former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also wished Arvind Kejriwal a happy birthday, acknowledging his struggle against what he termed as the dictatorship in the country. "Wishing the Chief Minister of Delhi, my dearest friend and political guru, Arvind Kejriwal ji, a very happy birthday, who is fighting the toughest battle against the dictatorship prevailing in the country. We are proud to be soldiers of a patriot and revolutionary leader who chose to go to jail rather than kneel before a dictator. Today the country's democracy is imprisoned in the form of Arvind Kejriwal," Sisodia said in a post on his social media handle X.

देश में चल रही तानाशाही के ख़िलाफ़ सबसे कठिन लड़ाई लड़ने वाले दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री, मेरे परम् प्रिय मित्र और राजनैतिक गुरु, @ArvindKejriwal जी को जन्मदिन की बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएँ।

हमें गर्व है कि हम एक ऐसे देशभक्त और क्रांतिकारी नेता के सिपाही हैं जिसने तानाशाह के सामने घुटने… pic.twitter.com/5t2vXAb0Sw

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 16, 2024

AAP Minister Atishi also extended birthday wishes to Kejriwal, highlighting his role in fighting against dictatorship and expressing hope that justice will prevail.

आज आधुनिक भारत के क्रांतिवीर @ArvindKejriwal जी का जन्मदिन है, जिसनें अपने गवर्नेंस मॉडल से दिल्ली की दशा-दिशा बदल दी। अपनी ईमानदारी की राजनीति से दिल्ली के लोगों को नई उम्मीद दी।

तानाशाही से लड़ते हुए लाखों लोगों के भविष्य को संवारने वाले अरविंद जी आज झूठे केस में जेल में बंद… pic.twitter.com/gTAhy2kjhK

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) August 16, 2024

"Today is the birthday of the revolutionary of modern India, Arvind Kejriwal, who changed the condition of Delhi with his governance model. He gave new hope to the people of Delhi with his politics of honesty. Arvind Ji, who shaped the future of lakhs of people by fighting against dictatorship, is today in jail in a false case. But truth will prevail, the beloved Chief Minister of Delhiites will come out," she posted on X.