'Do not intend to become PM if....': Arvind Kejriwal in 1st interview after being out on bail

Kejriwal mentioned that the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition INDIA bloc would be determined following the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on June 4.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated on May 22 that he harbors no "intention" of assuming the position of the next prime minister should the INDIA bloc emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha polls. He highlighted his goal of safeguarding the country and democracy from what he perceives as existing "dictatorship".

During an interview with PTI, his first following his release on interim bail, the AAP national convener also asserted that if the BJP were to return to power, opposition leaders would be imprisoned, and the elections would be manipulated.

Kejriwal mentioned that the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition INDIA bloc would be determined following the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results on June 4.

He expressed optimism, suggesting that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc was steadily moving closer to the 300-seat mark. "It will form the government on its own. The alliance will give a good, stable government," further noted the Delhi CM.

The AAP convener said he has no intention of becoming the next prime minister of the country.

"I have no such intention. We (AAP) are a very small party contesting only 22 seats," he said when asked if he considered himself a PM face of the INDIA bloc.

When questioned about his acceptance of Rahul Gandhi as the prime minister of the country, Kejriwal responded, "There has been no such discussion. It's a theoretical question. We will discuss it when we sit together."

Without naming the BJP, the Delhi chief minister said, "The current Lok Sabha polls were for saving the country and democracy from the prevailing dictatorship." They will finish democracy if they come back to power, he said.

"Elections will not be held and even if it takes place it will happen as in Russia. Putin either sent the entire opposition to jail or finished them and then held elections and got 87 percent votes."

Kejriwal also cited the example of Pakistan to drive his point home.

In Pakistan, Imran Khan was sent to jail and his party and symbol were snatched," he claimed.

Kejriwal expressed concern over the apparent threat looming over everyone, emphasising the absence of a prime ministerial face for the INDIA bloc.

Kejriwal warned of the BJP's potential actions, suggesting that they might resort to incarcerating leaders from various opposition parties, including AAP and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, as a strategy to maintain their electoral dominance.

Expressing widespread concern over this issue, Kejriwal addressed the absence of a prime ministerial face for the INDIA bloc, emphasising the perceived threat faced by all opposition leaders.

He confidently predicted a sweeping victory for the opposition alliance in Delhi, envisioning a scenario where the AAP and INDIA bloc collectively secure all seven Lok Sabha seats. Kejriwal suggested that the overwhelming support for the AAP and the INDIA bloc might even surpass previous electoral records set during Vidhan Sabha polls.

Reflecting on his recent legal ordeal and subsequent release on interim bail, Kejriwal highlighted the emotional resonance of his arrest among Delhi voters, which he believes will translate into losses for the BJP. He described the public sentiment as strongly opposed to what they perceive as dictatorship, with widespread anger and a desire to vote against such perceived tyranny.

Kejriwal considered his release from jail as a miraculous turn of events, revitalising public enthusiasm and evoking emotional responses from supporters. He attributed his incarceration to the BJP's attempt to destabilise his party but noted that it had the opposite effect, strengthening AAP's unity and resolve.

He termed his release from jail as a "miracle of god" that has now energised the people. "When I go for campaigning, people have moist eyes," said an emotional Kejriwal.

"They (BJP) thought after my arrest, the campaign will be affected and our party will disintegrate, MLAs will break away and the government will topple. But the opposite happened. Our party became more unified, our leadership worked like a family and our workers were encouraged to work harder when they saw their leader was in jail," he said.

Kejriwal underscored that while there were plans for AAP's expansion into other states, their primary and immediate focus remained on safeguarding democracy.