Vishwas storms Rahul's Amethi: AAP leader faces ink, eggs and black flags but warns Congress he is 'here to stay'
By Piyush Srivastava|
Not intimidated: AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said he is "here to stay" in Amethi
Undeterred by the hostile reception he got on the way to Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas took on the Congress vice-president, saying he wasn't afraid of tackling the Gandhi scion in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
"You can throw ink or eggs at me. You can also burn my effigies. But I am here to stay. I shall be camping here forever. I didn't fear speaking against the son-in-law (Robert Vadra) of the maharani (Sonia Gandhi) and exposing his corruption.
"I am here to tell the voters that you have ensured the victory of the yuvraj (Rahul) many times. Now is the time to push a button and vote for a servant who can change the future of Amethi," Vishwas told a packed rally at Amethi's Ramlila Ground on his maiden visit.
The AAP leader's speech dripped sarcasm and rhetoric as he criticised the Gandhi-Nehru family at the gathering. Ramlila Ground is where a Rahul Gandhi rally had to be cancelled recently because of waterlogging. On Sunday, the ground was two-thirds full, with only the waterlogged part left vacant.
People climbed atop nearby buildings to catch the proceedings.
Congress jittery
"There is restlessness in Congress circles. They are sprinkling ink and throwing eggs at me. They are also showing black flags and trying to beat me. But the way they are behaving indicates that soon we will see blood on the streets. These people are full of arrogance and don't want to tolerate anybody… I may be killed within three months. But this is not going to stop AAP from challenging the Congress. Any common man will win this time in Lok Sabha elections," Vishwas said.Earlier, the AAP leader was shown black flags by protesters who also raised slogans while he was passing through Jagdishpur area.
"Those who are protesting against me in the crowd should ask Rahul that why there is no proper electricity supply in the constituency. Why are the roofs of so many schools damaged and why are the roads so dilapidated?" he asked.
Vishwas did not spare Congress president Sonia Gandhi either, saying she goes to America for medical treatment because she does not trust Indian doctors.
"There is an Indian doctor, a son of India who treats US president Barack Obama. But Sonia doesn't trust the sons of India and goes America for her treatment. I want to know from the people of Amethi whether they are willing to hand over the country to Rahul, the son of Sonia, who doesn't trust the sons of India," he said, referring to Indian-origin doctor Vivek Hallegere Murthy who Obama has nominated for US Surgeon-General.
Vishwas sought to draw a parallel with Chanakya who was humiliated by Dhana Nanda, the ruler of Magadha, in the ancient Nanda period.
"We cannot hand over the reins of power to corrupt people even if they attack us. The same happened to Chanakya. He was humiliated by the Nanda Empire. He was a Brahmin and I also belong to a Pandit family. Chandragupta was born at that time to finish the Nanda Empire with the help of Chanakya. A new awakening is again taking place in the country. Now there are many Chanakyas all over the country to ensure the end of the dynasty politics in India," the AAP leader said.
Z Security for CM from today
By Bunty Tyagi in GhaziabadDespite Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal turning down the offer of security cover, Ghaziabad police on Sunday decided to provide Z-category security to him from Monday.
According to the plan outlined by district police, 30 police personnel will be deployed in Kejriwal's security round the clock.
"Besides, two Personal Security Officers will also be deployed in his security," SSP Dharmendra Singh said.
Patkar set to join AAP
By Mail Today BureauSocial activist Medha Patkar is set to join the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday, a day after legendary athlete Milkha Singh's wife Nirmal Kaur and daughter Mona Singh joined the party.
It is learnt that AAP leaders had given consent to Patkar, Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Alok Agarwal and others to join the party.
"I am going to join AAP on Monday but decision of Medha ji joining AAP is likely to be announced on Monday," Agarwal said.
AAP leader Kumar Vishwas with party members during a rally in Amethi
Priyanka tries to shield brother from AAP wave
By Piyush Srivastava in Amethi
The Aam Aadmi Party's bold decision to contest from the Congress stronghold, Amethi, has resulted in the party campaign managers coming out to widen the reach of Priyanka Vadra in her brother Rahul's parliamentary constituency.
At the same time, the Congress leaders have started admitting that it would be better to shift Rahul Gandhi to neighbouring Rae Bareli and field Priyanka from the Amethi seat this time.
While the Congressmen routinely celebrate the birthdays of the Gandhi-Nehru family members, one could not help but notice that Priyanka's birth anniversary on Sunday was celebrated in a more organised way than before.
Over 100 programmes, including distribution of tricycles for the disabled, blankets for rickshaw pullers and food for poor Dalits, were held in the constituency.
The Congressmen held meetings at every block headquarters and pledged to ensure Priyanka's victory by a vote margin of lakhs, if she was fielded in Lok Sabha elections.
"I along with some members of the party had met Rahul Gandhi in Bhuemau guest house in Amethi on November 26 and requested him to allow Priyanka to contest from here. He may shift to Rae Bareli if Soniaji doesn't contest this time. In fact, this demand is gaining ground because voters in the constituency love Priyanka," UP Mahila Congress vice-president Girija Singh said.
"Priyanka knows a large number of Congressmen by name. This makes a huge difference. It is a strong demand of the people of Amethi to let her contest from here... But a final decision will be taken by Soniaji only," she said.
A senior PCC leader told Mail Today that they had never celebrated Priyanka's birthday on such a big scale.
"I can say without doubt that the party high-command is toying with the idea to bring Priyanka in electoral politics... The rise of AAP and Narendra Modi is giving them (the leadership) sleepless nights... Obviously, they are thinking to bank upon Priyanka's charisma. But the party doesn't want to give any indication that we are taking such a decision under pressure of the rivals."
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