Arvind Kejriwal Returns to Tihar Jail After Bail Expiration, Delegates Leadership Roles in AAP
New Delhi, 3rd June 2024: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, returned to Tihar jail following the expiration of his bail granted by the Supreme Court for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. Before his return, Kejriwal ensured the establishment of a secondary leadership within the AAP to oversee party affairs, with no political role assigned to his wife Sunita, who had campaigned extensively in his absence.
Prior to surrendering at Tihar, Kejriwal visited the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat, the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place, and his party office on Rouse Avenue, where he addressed AAP supporters. However, the BJP criticized his visit to Rajghat, denouncing it as an attempt to exploit the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to deflect from his alleged economic offenses.
Addressing his supporters, Kejriwal invoked the spirit of Bhagat Singh, stating, “When power turns into dictatorship, jail becomes a responsibility.” He expressed readiness to face whatever consequences awaited him in jail, drawing parallels with the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh.
Kejriwal also delegated responsibilities to leaders during a meeting of the party’s political affairs committee, emphasizing the absence of any political role for his wife Sunita. Notably, Sandeep Pathak, along with other leaders such as Durgesh Pathak, Sanjeev Jha, Dilip Pandey, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, would oversee party operations, while Atishi would manage the Delhi government.
Kejriwal, denied a bail extension on medical grounds, urged vigilance during the counting process, alleging potential fraud with electronic voting machines. He urged party representatives to remain vigilant until the conclusion of the counting, regardless of the initial outcomes. Notably, several AAP leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accompanied Kejriwal to Tihar jail.
