Kejriwal opposes Lalu’s dynasty politics

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal drew flak for hugging RJD chief Lalu Prasad during the oath-taking ceremony of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with his former colleague and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav saying that it was a “shameful” act.

Ruling out any alliance with Lalu’s RJD, Kejriwal said he is opposed to the “dynasty politics” that was witnessed in Patna with two of Lalu’s sons sworn in as ministers in Nitish’s Cabinet. Nitish, who fell out with the BJP after Modi made a decision to lead it, had forged an alliance with Lalu.

Speaking to AAP workers, Kejriwal, who is party’s national convener, said that his party is not in race for 2019 Lok Sabha election.

He also stressed that the AAP is against Lalu’s record of corruption and will always oppose it. He shook hands, pulled me towards him and hugged me. “And held my hand and raised it”, he said.

“Yesterday, Arvind Kejriwal hugged the ideology which he had been opposing”, Patra said.

Meanwhile, as Kejriwal addressed his party members, a group of AAP rebels protested outside the venue, accusing him of inviting “select” members for the National Council meeting and “suspending” members without prior notice. Leaders of various political parties, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, came together to attend the event and share the dais. “We are against that too”.

Delhi CM said, “I am happy that questions are being asked”. Questions are being asked because people have hope (in AAP), because they think we are different.

“Nobody asks (these) questions when other leaders hug Laluji”.

“Political capital of the movement sold to symbols of political corruption”.

People on the social media pulled out an old tweet from Kejriwal reminding him of his anti-corruption stand.

Targeting Kejriwal for choosing to back Bihar Chief Minister Nitish and Lalu for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, Yadav told, “It is like selling out the soul of the anti-corruption movement”. Lalu is now barred from contesting elections after he was convicted and jailed previous year in a fodder scam case.