Arvind Kejrwial reached out to members of the Patel community to "clean Gujarat politics".
Asking members of Gujarat's Patel community to join in a movement to "clean politics" in the state, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today drew a parallel between his anti-corruption campaign and the Patel quota agitation in the state. Mr Kejriwal is in Gujarat to gather support for the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of assembly polls scheduled for 2017.
"Few years back, we conducted a campaign against corruption - the Anna Andolan - in the country. Instead of enacting a law, we were asked to form a government and do it ourselves. With no other option, we contested polls and won 67 out of 70 seats," he said, adding that "it was possible because of the power of the common man".
Mr Kejriwal said that the village of Mehsana held special significance for him, as it was the place where the Patel quota agitation started first.
"We all have to come together to fight against corruption and clean Gujarat's politics," Mr Kejriwal said, while raising the slogan "Jay Sardar - Jay Patidar" invoking Sardar Vallabhai Patel, several times during his address.
Mr Kejriwal also visited Kaamli village, where he met the family of constable Nagjibhai who committed suicide last month, allegedly due to harassment from bootleggers and senior politicians. He also met the parents of Kanubhai Patel - who died during the quota agitation last year.
In a major endorsement of the AAP chief, Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel yesterday said: "We should not oppose Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who is coming to meet members of those who died during the Patidar community's reservation agitation. He will tell the rest of the country about our plight."
Later, he submitted a memorandum to Mr Kejriwal seeking his explicit support for the quota movement.