Kejriwal ready to take on Modi in Varanasi 'if people approve'
Bangalore: Coming out with his guns blazing against Narendra Modi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal today declared he was ready to take on BJP's prime ministerial candidate from Varanasi but linked his final call to the
Pouring out scorn and vitriol on Modi and tearing into his development model,he also ridiculed Gujarat Chief Minister over reports that he would contest from another seat in his home state, apart from Varanasi.
"...If he does it, it will be like he is leader of Gujarat but not fit to be Prime Minister of the country," he said.
Kejriwal said, "....He has to contest from one seat. Contesting from two seats.. Doubt will certainly arise in the minds of people as to why he is searching for a safe seat."
"We want a brave Prime Minister. Do we after-all want a Prime Minister who is looking for a safe seat," the AAP leader said ridiculing Modi, against whom he has scaled up the attack after his recent visit to Gujarat.
Kejriwal, whose party leaders had earlier indicated that he may challenge Modi, said "...Friends, there was meeting within the party. The party told me that I have to fight elections against Narendra Modi."
He said AAP had given him ticket "but party giving ticket is not important to me. The day people of this country give ticket to me, I will fight against Narendra Modi."
Acknowledging that fighting Modi was a "big challenge", Kejriwal said the Gujarat Chief Minister had to be defeated.
"I know it is a big challenge. I know it is not a small challenge. We are not here for power or money. We have come here to sacrifice our lives for the country.....I feel I'm blessed if I get an oppertunity to sacrifice my life for the country as Baghat Singh did", he said.
He said, "I have not come here for victory or defeat. We have come here for struggle. I accept this challenge."
Accusing Modi of representing "old style crony capitalists" of the country, Kejriwal said, "Modi travels in a helicopter, gives speeches and leaves."
Referring to his recent Gujarat visit when he tried in vain to meet Modi without appointment with elements of drama, he said he was stopped by 1,000 policemen five kms away. "Why is Modi so scared of me?"
Kejriwal hit out at BJP for taking back former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, despite corruption charges against him, and said he would be made Telecom Minister if Modi became the Prime Minister.