Arvind Kejriwal rally in Surat: Calls BJP betrayer of Hindus, says Gujarat waiting for ‘tsunami of change’

"They say that they are the party for Hindus. I want to ask them whether the Patidars killed by their forces were not Hindus. I want to ask them whether the Dalits in Una are not Hindus."

Surat, Oct 16: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal addressed a massive rally in Surat today, giving a major boost to his poll campaign in the state. The Delhi Chief Minister urged the people of Gujarat to stand up against the tyranny of BJP and bring an electoral change in the state. Issuing an open challenge to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah, Kejriwal said that AAP would fight the elections on ‘people’s agenda’ and form its government in Gujarat. Kejriwal also targeted BJP on the issue of Hindutva, accusing the saffron party of betraying Hindus in the name of religion.

“They say that they are the party for Hindus. I want to ask them whether the Patidars killed by their forces were not Hindus. I want to ask them whether the Dalits in Una are not Hindus. Truth is that they are neither the party of Hindus nor Sikhs, Muslims or any other communities. They are only greedy for power and politics,” Kejriwal said, receving a huge applause from the crowd.

Kejriwal lambasted BJP government in Gujarat for targeting Patidars in a brutal manner to suppress their protest. “They have picked up dozens of Patel youths and lodged them into jails. They have killed some of the Patidar youths. May are booked in frivolous cases. I want to ask this BJP government what is their fault. What is the fault of Hardik Patel? Why has he been booked under sedition? I believe there is no bigger patriot than Hardik Patel,” Kejriwal added. (ALSO READ: Amit Shah is a traitor, Hardik Patel a patriot: Arvind Kejriwal)

AAP chief further accused BJP of being hand-in-glove with the gau rakshaks who have unleashed rein of terror among Muslims and Dalits across the nation. “In Una, the gau rakshaks thrashed Dalit youths in front of policemen. Why didn’t their police took any action? But let me assure you, this regime of oppression will not continue. I thank Jignesh Mevani for galvanizing Dalits across Gujarat. The Dalit community has stood up. They are been illegally detained. BJP government is issuing them a challenge as they did to the Patidar community. People of Gujarat will accept their challenge. In the upcoming elections, the people of Gujarat will defeat the BJP.”

Kejriwal also condemned the implementation of liquor ban in Gujarat. “It is a joke to say that liquor is banned in Gujarat. Even here at the rally, one could arrange for alcohol. Their liquor ban is only a method of assisting the booze mafia. Both Congress and BJP are part of the nexus,” he said at the rally.

At the rally, Kejriwal was accompanied by civil activist and state leader of AAP Dr Kanubhai. He was also joined by senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh.

AAP has reportedly gained some grounds in Gujarat ahead of the elections. The volunteer strength of the party has doubled over the past couple of years. In the Lok Sabha elections, the party had unsuccessfully contested from the state.