Amritsar: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Compares India’s Current Political Climate to Russia’s Dictatorship
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, addressing Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and leaders on Friday, drew parallels between the political situation in India and that of Russia, alleging a “dictatorship” in the country. Kejriwal claimed that opposition leaders are being systematically imprisoned.
Speaking to a gathering that included MLAs and MPs, Kejriwal urged his party members to work diligently to secure victory in all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of targeting opposition leaders through imprisonment.
“The current state of dictatorship in our country is unacceptable. In the past 75 years, India has never witnessed such a period where opposition leaders are being jailed,” Kejriwal stated.
He further compared the situation to Russia under Vladimir Putin, alleging that Putin either imprisoned or eliminated his rivals before elections, securing 87 percent of the vote. “When there is no opposition, the ruling party naturally receives the majority of the votes,” he added.
Kejriwal, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 in the Delhi excise policy case, is required to return to jail on June 2. He highlighted the arrests of prominent figures, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and various Congress and TMC leaders, as evidence of the BJP’s strategy to suppress dissent.
“The objective seems to be to imprison everyone from opposition parties, leaving only one party and one leader, which is detrimental to democracy. We must prevent this,” Kejriwal emphasized.
The AAP national convenor also alleged invasive surveillance during his time in Tihar Jail, claiming that two CCTV cameras monitored his every move, including his bathroom activities. He asserted that the CCTV feed was scrutinized by 13 officers around the clock, with one feed reportedly going to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“They attempted to break me, but I found strength through meditation and reading,” Kejriwal remarked.
Criticizing the BJP further, Kejriwal suggested that the party’s goal was to arrest him in hopes that it would fracture AAP and destabilize the government. “However, the opposite occurred. AAP is a family, and we come together in times of adversity,” he said.
Kejriwal assured that the arrest of one individual would not impact AAP, as every worker embodies his spirit. He also criticized the jail authorities for not arranging a proper meeting room for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during his visit.
In conclusion, Kejriwal urged his party members to ensure victory in all 13 seats in Punjab, expressing his desire to see positive results while in jail. “I have to surrender on June 2 and will be in jail when the results are announced on June 4. It will be a source of great satisfaction if AAP wins all 13 seats in Punjab. Do not disappoint me,” he appealed.
Kejriwal arrived in Punjab on Thursday and participated in a roadshow supporting AAP’s Amritsar candidate, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.
