Shiv Sena praises Kejriwal a day before Delhi polls

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, it praises him for his AAP govt’s ‘ideal’ work.

Aam Aadmi Party National convenor and Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference at the party's HQ in New Delhi on January 16, 2020.

A day before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Shiv Sena on Friday praised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and hit out hard at the BJP for allegedly calling him a terrorist.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana , the Sena took a hard look at the Delhi Assembly election.

“PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are pulling out all stops for the Delhi elections after losing Maharashtra and Jharkhand. But despite doing all this, one Kejriwal is turning out to be a challenge for BJP. Despite having limited power and the Centre’s hindrances in his work, Kejriwal government has done ideal work in the field of education, health, civic services. Modi government should in fact have adopted this model in other States but forget that, the level of campaigning this election has stooped so low that now, they are just trying to prove Kejriwal wrong. In Delhi (at the Centre), BJP is ruling and also in Delhi municipal corporation. Despite all this, it is important to note that this government has managed to work and become an ideal one. Our rulers will try to replicate international standards in India but why can’t they appreciate the education given in Delhi schools? Mohalla clinics are working well, electricity, water bills have been waived, whatever Kejriwal had promised has been done. In fact, PM Modi’s Central government should have felicitated him. Instead, BJP is busy doing Hindu Muslim. BJP did not even like Kejriwal reciting Hanuman Chalisa and they are calling it drama,” says the editorial.

The piece hit out at the BJP as senior its leader Prakash Javadekar allegedly called Mr Kejriwal a terrorist recently.

“BJP also called him (Kejriwal) a terrorist. If he is one, why doesn’t BJP arrest him? Is BJP trying to say that in 2014, 70% Delhi voters voted for a terrorist? The PM’s campaign speeches are only focused on Batla House and Section 370. BJP should not bring the PM down to this level. PM Modi said in his speech to punish those who asked for a proof of surgical strikes. So does that mean those who do not vote for BJP will be considered traitors and the new government will be suspended? The country’s PM should not get into all this muck.. The CM of Jharkhand had supported surgical strike but still lost, which means the issues affecting people are different, you should address those. Kejriwal is asking for votes based on his performance in past five years. This model should be appreciated beyond political differences,”the editorial says.