In the Muslim-dominated Beniabagh locality of Varanasi, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal sought the people’s opinion on whether he should contest against the BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, before announcing his candidature.
“I fight from where I want to defeat those who loot the country,” Mr. Kejriwal said. Terming the contests in Amethi — where AAP leader Kumar Vishwas challenges Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi — and Varanasi, as a “political revolution,” Mr. Kejriwal said, “If we beat them, we will wreck havoc on the NDA and the UPA.”
Continuing his attack on the media, he alleged that some in the media were working to promote Mr. Modi as a development man. “The media is the root of Modi's conspiracy. Some media persons have betrayed the county with their lies,” he said.
“If Modi comes to power, no small industry will survive. Your land will be sold to Adani and Ambani. That’s his model, to shut these enterprises and give it to Adani and Ambani. I am sad when somebody says that Modi should get a chance. They don't know the reality.” said Mr. Kejriwal. He also accepted a shawl presented by weavers, who form a large vote bank in the constituency of 16 lakh voters.
The AAP leader's address was accompanied by conch blowing and intermittent chants of Har Har Mahadev , a day after the BJP decided to disown its own version of the chant for Mr. Modi. Looking to counter attack the BJP, the AAP created its own slogan, Thar Thar Modi, Ghar Ghar Jhadu .
