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