Arvind Kejriwal repeats 'accept bribe from Congress, BJP but vote for AAP' comment

On a day when Election Commission (EC) "warned" him over his remarks asking voters to accept bribes from Congress and BJP but vote for his party, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal justified his remarks at back-to-back rallies here.

EC had directed Kejriwal to "desist from making these utterances in all forms of election campaign... from today 7.00 PM onwards", adding that any further violation of its orders would invite "stern action".

Interestingly, the two rallies -- at Babarpur and Shahdara, during which he justified his remarks -- were held before 7.00 PM. The AAP leader did not repeat the remarks at the Patparganj rally, which started after 7.00 PM.

Kejriwal said, "What is bribery? It is taking money and then voting. However, I am forbidding voters to do so. I say, 'take money from them but don't vote for them. Rather give vote to us'."

He also repeated the comments that had invited the EC's ire, "It's election time. When people both from BJP and Congress come offering money, don't refuse, accept... Some have looted money from 2G, some have looted money from coal scam... Take money from both the parties but vote for AAP."

Meanwhile, at a press conference, AAP leaders seemed to duck media queries on Kejriwal's remarks today even as they pointed to "media reports" in an attempt to offer a clarification on the issue.

"You people (media) only report on EC seizing drugs, alcohol, money during every elections. There are media reports. Now these are facts that can hardly be denied. He (Kejriwal) is only trying to explain to people to not fall into such traps," said AAP leader Ashish Khetan.

While issuing its order, EC took note of an undertaking by Kejriwal that he respects the poll body and the law and would stop making such appeals if the Commission finds his statements inappropriate.

EC was responding to separate complaints by BJP and Congress against the AAP convener.

At the Patparganj rally, which was also the party's latest round as part of its Delhi Dialogue, Kejriwal claimed that some BJP leaders had called him to say that they would work together to defeat Kiran Bedi.

"Some BJP leaders called me and told me 'Arvindji, you don't worry, we together will ensure that Kiran Bedi gets defeated'," he said.

Making a strong pitch for AAP, he said that if the party came to power here, he will make Delhi India's "first corruption-free state".

"After February 10 (day of poll results), we, the people of Delhi, will make Delhi the best city in the world," he said.

Kejriwal also sought to allay apprehensions that the Lokpal Bill was no longer on the party's agenda and said that AAP will pass the Jan Lokpal Bill if it wins power.

"We have not forgotten the Lokpal Bill. We will pass the Jan Lokpal and Swaraj Bill after coming to power in Delhi," he said.

Addressing a rally at Jhilmil colony in the Shahdara constituency, he charted out the road map of governance if AAP was voted to power.

"I have chalked out a plan for running the government for five years which would end the woes of the common man," he said, adding that a team of "experts" has prepared the blueprint for the same over the last five months.

"For women's security, we will install CCTV cameras across the city. We will ensure availability of free Wi-fi all over Delhi. We will also provide one security guard on each bus to prevent eve-teasing," he said.