Gujarat: Black flags shown to Kejriwal and Mann in Navsari, Modi-Modi slogans

Black flags were shown by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on their way to address a public meeting at Chikhli in Gujarat's Navsari district on Saturday. During this, BJP supporters also raised slogans of 'Modi-Modi'.

BJP supporters standing on the roadside between Khudvel and Golavad villages in Chikhali taluka showed black flags to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders when their convoy was passing through these places there. BJP supporters also raised slogans of 'Modi-Modi' while going to take part in the rally to be held at the National Cricket Ground in Chikhali town. Here both the Chief Ministers were to address the rally.

However, referring to the incident while addressing the rally, Kejriwal said that he considers those showing black flags as his brothers. He expressed confidence that one day he (Kejriwal) will win their hearts and get them (supporters) included in his party.

Kejriwal said people can vote for the party of their choice, but AAP will ensure that their children get free and quality education and medical care. He claimed that BJP members are also against the Gujarat government and many of them have told him that they want to remove the party from power. He appealed to BJP workers to stay with their party but vote for AAP.

Kejriwal said that as soon as they (BJP supporters) saw us, they started raising slogans of 'Modi, Modi, Modi'. I consider him my brother, I have nothing against him in my heart. Shout on whomever you want, and vote for whichever party you want. I will build a school for your children, and get the sick member of your family treated. I believe that one day I will win your heart and include you in my party.

The AAP national convener further said that he was not against anyone and would build schools for all, including those who voted for Congress and the BJP. He said that we will get the family members of those people who have shown us black flags to be treated. I am not against anyone.

He also took a dig at BJP's 'double engine' government campaign and asked why it was needed. He said that one engine got damaged and the other engine got old. We need a new engine, not a double-engine government.

He told people that if they want to do politics or gundagardi, they can go to BJP and if they want schools, hospitals, and mohalla clinics for their children, they can be part of AAP. He said I am an engineer, I know how to build roads and how to supply electricity. I will do all this. I don't know hooliganism. I hate it.

It is to be known that Gujarat has long been considered a stronghold of the BJP. The BJP has been in power here for three decades. The Aam Aadmi Party has been trying to strengthen its ground there for the last few years. Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly are due later this year and the state is expected to see a triangular contest between the BJP, Congress, and AAP. It is worth mentioning that in the 2017 assembly elections, BJP got 99 seats, while Congress got 77 seats.