Kejriwal writes to Gujarat CM over FIRs against AAP workers ahead of local body polls
Seeks urgent meeting with CM Bhupendra Patel, stating that he, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, would like to discuss what he described as 'atrocities' against AAP workers
AAP national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday wrote to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking the latter’s intervention on the FIRs registered against party workers ahead of the local body polls.
In his letter, Kejriwal claimed that 145 FIRs have been registered and over 160 AAP workers arrested in the past three months, alleging a coordinated attempt to weaken the party’s presence in the state. He also cited inputs suggesting a plan to arrest as many as 10,000 party workers to prevent AAP from effectively contesting the elections.
Kejriwal has sought an urgent meeting with Patel, stating that he, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, would like to discuss what he described as “atrocities” against the AAP workers.
The AAP leader alleged a pattern in recent arrests, claiming that party workers are being targeted through staged altercations and subsequently booked under serious charges such as attempt to murder.
He pointed to three incidents in Khambhalia, Porbandar, and Jamnagar over the past 48 hours, where AAP workers were allegedly assaulted and later arrested based on complaints filed by the attackers.
He further alleged that police have been visiting the houses of party workers, issuing threats and pressuring them to leave Gujarat, with families also facing intimidation.
Calling the developments a “pre-planned conspiracy,” Kejriwal questioned whether free and fair elections could be conducted if opposition leaders were jailed ahead of polls. He accused the ruling BJP of attempting to win elections through the misuse of police machinery.
