Kejriwal in Lucknow: Seven Cars, One Sandal and Anti-Congress Call

Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Oct 18: Core committee member of team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal’s visit at Lucknow had all the melodrama of a Bollywood flick on Tuesday October 18. An impulsive sandal throwing by a youth, an unfazed Kejriwal, challenge to ruling Congress party and even his arrival and departure in a true filmy style.

Kejriwal arrived at the venue of rally Jhulelal Park in a caravan of seven luxury cars led by over 50 motorcycles each carrying a flag. The cavalcade was piloted by another bike with a big flag fluttering.

Nearly 5000 people had gathered at the venue to listen to Kejriwal. He alighted and exchanged pleasantries with India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteers and was surrounded like a politician. The volunteers made a ring surrounding him. The gates of venue were closed to prevent any further entry.

However, Jitendra Pathak, a resident of Jalaun district in Bundelkhand has sneaked in the ring. As he neared the stage, he flung his sandal, missed the target and tried to show black flag. Suddenly he was pounced upon by the volunteers who started beating him black and blue. Unfazed Kejriwal headed towards stage.

Everything was over within three minutes. Policemen hardly ten in number somehow rescued Jitendra and took him away to police station. Function started and so began Congress bashing. “Take lesson from Hisar bypoll, it will be repeated everywhere if Janlokpal Bill is not tabled in winter session. We will campaign against Congress in UP elections if they fail to deliver,” roared Kejriwal. Realising that there are hardly six months left when the state will be going to polls, Kejriwal sounded warning. “Annaji will himself campaign from UP if the bill is not passed in winter session, we will appeal not to vote for Congress,” retorted Kejriwal. Sparing the opposition parties, he claimed that Congress has the responsibility for passing the bill as it is in power.

The next was the list of scams-Yedurappa, Reddy Brothers, 2G every scam worth name was mentioned with a warning. “Remember Hisar else you will perish,” he said.

Another Team Anna member Manish Sisodia warned that Hisar will be repeated in UP if Congress fails to bring Janlokpal Bill in winter session. "This is democracy, if ruling party is not working upto the mark, remove them. We will be doing this if there is any need," he said. Eminent poet and Team Anna Member Kumar Biswas supported Swami Ramdev and his anti graft agitation. "Till he did not raise black money issue, he was fine. Now Ramdev is culprit for them, it is not justice," said Biswas. Over Anna's agitation, Biswas stated that the 13 day agitation has shown the way for the country. "The whole parliament has to stand up for Anna during those 13 days," he said.

Team Anna members later left for Faizabad for their next meeting.