Surat: One eve of AAP national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Surat, the city unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday alleged that BJP trying to ‘entice’ their winning candidates in the recently concluded Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) election. AAP won on 27 seats, mostly in Patidar dominated areas of Diamond City.
Though AAP leaders did not divulge finer details of the ‘offers’ received but claimed that several of their winning candidates have got phone calls from BJP leaders over the phone asking them for a meeting.
“Our elected councillors are being called by some BJP leaders. They have been asked to come to meet but none of our elected councillors will fall in their trap,” alleged Manoj Sorathiya, AAP secretary and in-charge of south Gujarat.
Sorathiya further alleged that the AAP candidates were made offers even before elections and attempts were made to convince them to withdraw their nominations. “Our candidates are loyal to the people and the party. If BJP continues with such tactics we will expose them through sting operations,” Sorathiya added.
However, the Surat city BJP refuted the claims as baseless and alleged that AAP was trying to sensationalise an issue. “BJP has 93 councillors and we have more than enough numbers to control SMC. Why would we try to lure any AAP councillor?. The allegations are totally baseless,” said Niranjan Zanzmera, city BJP president.
He further added, “AAP leaders are making allegations before media without giving evidence. This shows that they are replicating the politics of creating nuisance like in Delhi.”
Kejriwal roadshow today
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with a group of businessmen and citizens before holding a roadshow in Varachha on Friday. He will begin the roadshow by offering garland to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Mangadh Chowk. The procession will then pass through Hira Baug, Kiran Chowk, Yogi Chowk, Simada and end at Sarthana crossroads.
Kejriwal will address a public meeting near Takshashila Arcade at Sarthana crossroad. He will also pay homage to the victims of the May 2019 Takshashila Arcade fire, in which 21 students and a child had died.
Earlier it was announced that Kejriwal was going to meet a delegation of business and industry representatives from Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI). However, the event was cancelled under some mysterious circumstances on Wednesday. “SGCCI cancelled the event under some political pressure. This was expected. A group of businessmen want to meet Kejriwal and they will do so,” said Manoj Sorathiya of AAP.