'If INDIA bloc wins, Delhi will...', says Kejriwal in 1st roadshow after release from jail

Kejriwal predicted the BJP's failure to form the government on June 4, citing electoral setbacks across various states and expressing confidence in the INDIA bloc's performance.

Delhi will be granted full statehood if the INDIA bloc clinches victory and forms the government, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on May 11 during his first roadshow in the national capital after his release from jail on interim bail.

Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal stated that there will be a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the INDIA bloc assumes power.

Addressing the crowd, Kejriwal emphasised his fight against dictatorship. Kejriwal said, "It is a historic moment. The history is taking a turn. If the INDIA bloc forms government, the direction and fate of the country will change."

"I am fighting against dictatorship with all my power. I need your support. The country never accepted any dictator and people removed them. I have come to seek your support to fight dictatorship," he added.

He predicted the BJP's failure to form the government on June 4, citing electoral setbacks across various states and expressing confidence in the INDIA bloc's performance.

"They are losing seats everywhere, be it Karnataka, Haryana. In Punjab, they will not win anything and even in Delhi, all the seven seats will be won by the INDIA bloc," he claimed.  "If the INDIA bloc comes to power, full statehood will be provided to Delhi," he said.

Promising full statehood for Delhi if his coalition secures victory, Kejriwal highlighted the challenges he faced during his jail term, alleging mistreatment and interference with his medical care. He praised the efforts of his ministers, notably Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, currently in Tihar jail, for their transformative contributions to education and healthcare respectively in Delhi.

"I have come straight to you after being released from jail. I missed Delhi people a lot. I want to thank crores of people who prayed and sent blessings to me," he said.

Recalling his days in jail, he said his wife Sunita, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his ministers used to come to meet him.

"I used to ask my ministers about the welfare of people while in jail. During my stay in jail, I used to think what was my fault that I was arrested. My fault was that I provided good schools and hospitals for people. I provided health facilities to people. They (BJP) stopped my insulin for 15 days in jail. They want to shut everything to paralyse the Delhi government," he charged.

Remembering his former ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, who are in Tihar jail, he claimed they changed the face of schools and hospitals.

"Sisodia changed the face of schools in Delhi. He should be made the Union minister of education," he said.

With the Lok Sabha elections underway, Kejriwal's campaign rhetoric sets the stage for a fierce contest in Delhi and beyond.

(With Agency inputs)