Arvind Kejriwal targets PM Narendra Modi over question paper leaks, air pollution, graft in Gujarat

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central govt at a rally at Jantar Mantar, claiming that 140 crore Indians will unite to uproot a "dictatorial regime".

This was the party's first big public gathering in Delhi since it had been defeated in the 2025 assembly polls. Senior functionaries, including former ministers Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Satyendar Jain and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, were present.





A banner displayed at the venue read, "Ek saal, Dilli behaal — yaad aa rahe Kejriwal," echoing the party's claim that the capital has deteriorated within a year of BJP coming to office in Delhi, and people are already missing the tenure of Kejriwal as chief minister.

Addressing AAP functionaries, workers and supporters, Kejriwal said the "historic" verdict in the liquor policy case on Feb 27 vindicated him and made it clear that he was, is and will remain "kattar imandar (staunchly honest)" despite repeated allegations of corruption levelled against him by PM Narendra Modi. He thanked the judge for his "bold verdict" delivered amid an "atmosphere of fear".

The case was monitored at every step to politically target AAP functionaries and dismantle the party, Kejriwal alleged. Challenging his political opponents, he said during his tenure as CM, he had signed numerous files, but no contractor or vendor could claim he ever demanded a bribe. "I earned my honesty," he said, adding he will quit politics if anyone could prove otherwise.

Kejriwal said that in 2014, people of the country voted UPA out of the Centre, hoping for change, and gave a full majority to Modi. However, after 12 years, every sector, including airlines, railways, banks, education and healthcare, is in decline, he claimed, adding that roads are broken, water is contaminated and power supply disrupted, both across India and in Delhi. He said that the AAP rally signalled the countdown of BJP's removal from office.

Citing alleged unfulfilled promises of the BJP govt in the city, Kejriwal accused it of failing to deliver Rs 2,500 per month to women and of not regularising bus marshals despite assurances. He claimed that thousands of marshals, DTC drivers and conductors, mohalla clinic staff and other employees were removed from service. During a period of high inflation, govt took away existing employment instead of creating jobs, he said.

Kejriwal also targeted Modi over issues like paper leaks in competitive exams, air pollution and alleged corruption in Gujarat. He said if the Centre is serious about ending corruption, it should act against "illegal liquor sales, drug menace and questionable land deals". He alleged that bridges and roads have been collapsing soon after inauguration and questioned the Centre's priorities.

The AAP chief said his arrest was meant to send a message that anyone working honestly would meet the same fate and was an attempt to discourage educated youth and ordinary citizens from entering politics.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, addressing the rally via video conferencing, termed the court verdict in Kejriwal's favour a historic victory of truth in Indian politics. The AAP functionary asserted that the party is now a strong national force and said it will win 100 out of 117 seats in Punjab in the 2027 assembly elections. This will mark what he called the beginning of the end of an authoritarian rule at the Centre.

Mann alleged that the Union govt is yet to release Punjab's GST dues and Rs 1,600 crore in flood relief, and said this "injustice" will be answered through a democratic mandate. "Where Punjab moves, the nation follows," he said, adding that AAP's "struggle" was not for any individual but to safeguard the Constitution and India's democratic values.