Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, buoyed by his release on interim bail, wasted no time in making bold predictions about the electoral fate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in several key states. Addressing roadshows in the Capital, Kejriwal asserted that the BJP’s fortunes would decline significantly in Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi.
Kejriwal’s assertions were not merely personal prognostications but, he claimed, were based on consultations with experts, psephologists, and analysts during his 20-hour stint outside of jail. According to him, the consensus among these experts was that the BJP would fail to secure a majority in the upcoming elections.
In a particularly bold claim, Kejriwal declared that the BJP would lose all seven seats in Delhi, a stronghold where the party has historically performed well. He further forecasted a similar fate for the BJP in Punjab. Kejriwal confidently stated that on June 4, the BJP would not come to power, hinting at the possibility of an alternative government led by the INDIA bloc, with AAP as a key participant.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal stirred controversy by suggesting that voting for Narendra Modi would effectively pave the way for Amit Shah to become Prime Minister, as Modi was expected to retire next year upon turning 75. This statement drew a sharp response from the BJP, which reaffirmed Modi’s position as the Prime Minister and accused Kejriwal of sowing confusion.
Reflecting on his recent incarceration, Kejriwal lamented the circumstances of his arrest and highlighted his administration’s achievements in providing essential services like education and healthcare in Delhi. He expressed frustration over the challenges faced during his time in Tihar jail, attributing them to political machinations aimed at destabilizing his government.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the elections, Kejriwal’s bold assertions and critiques add fuel to an already intense electoral contest, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for power.
