New Delhi : AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed that the Centre had not extended an invitation to him for the Republic Day celebrations and alleged that protocol was not being followed due to political differences.
The Congress too slammed the Modi government for not extending an invite to the former chief minister and said it revealed the BJP government’s “petty mindset”.
But BJP leaders defended it by saying Kejriwal has no “moral right to demand an invite” when he himself had held a protest on Republic Day last year.
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said that Kejriwal didn’t deserve to be invited to the parade due to his “anarchist behavior”.
“”I just want to make the entire nation is aware of the fact that Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi was protesting on the same Rajpath last year and was asking people not to let the Republic Day celebrations take place and had proudly proclaimed himself to be an anarchist.”
But Kejriwal said he had never said that Republic Day shouldn’t be celebrated. The AAP chief said he was “surprised” at protocol not being followed.
“I haven’t got any invitation. If protocol says it should be sent, then they should have sent it to me. If not, then they shouldn’t. There shouldn’t be any politics over it,” Kejriwal said.
AAP leader Ashutosh added that the move had led many to doubt as to whether the decision to not extend an invitation was due to “political hatred”.
“He is not only the former CM but also the most popular leader of Delhi and a respected person. When he doesn’t get an invitation, then there are doubts in people’s mind whether he was not invited due to political hatred,” he said.
The Congress backed the AAP and attacked the BJP for their “petty mindset”. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “Whether we belong to different parties or different political thought-processes, a national day like January 26 belongs to each one of the 125 crore Indians. So to not invite a former CM is reflective of the petty mindset of BJP government.”
Delhi BJP Chief Satish Upadhyay said Kejriwal did not deserve to be invited because of his “anarchist behaviour”.
“I am not aware whether he has been invited or not. As far as protocols are concerned, I think you should go and and ask the defence department. But, morally, we are asking, is it right for him to attend the function after his anarchist behaviour last year on the very same occasion,” he said.
