PM Narendra Modi wished Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal , a happy birthday. (File Photo)
Highlights
- Arvind Kejriwal has said "PM could even have me eliminated"
- Delhi Chief Minister turns 48
- Kejriwal seen snoozing during PM's Independence Day speech
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was wished today for his birthday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was recently described by the Delhi politician as "capable of having me eliminated."
PM Modi tweeted, "Birthday greetings to Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal. I pray for his long life and good health.(sic)"
In response Mr Kejriwal thanked PM Modi for his wishes:
Mr Kejriwal turns 48 today. Yesterday, he was seen sleeping during the PM's speech at Red Fort; his Aam Aadmi Party or AAP said that's because the PM should "get Olympic gold" for a "boring speech"
At the end of last month, the Chief Minister posted a video on YouTube in which he catalogued his complaints about the Prime Minister, who he described as" rattled by the accomplishments of the Delhi government." An unnerved PM Modi would stop at nothing to persecute the state government's leaders, Mr Kejriwal professed. He then declared that the PM could even have him eliminated, and that supporters and workers of AAP should factor in a likely witch-hunt before deciding whether to remain loyal to Mr Kejriwal.
Two years ago, AAP garnered a historic win in the Delhi election, losing just three assembly seats. Today, nearly a dozen of its lawmakers are named in criminal cases on charges that include attempt to murder. AAP says its people are being framed by investigative agencies acting on the orders of the central government.
AAP has long alleged that PM Modi, unable to accept his party's defeat in the Delhi election, observes no boundaries in trying to run the capital instead of allowing Mr Kejriwal to do his job.
However, the Delhi High Court recently disagreed with that, ruling that Delhi's top boss is the Lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung, who is the central government's representative in the union territory.
Mr Kejriwal has announced plans to attempt dislodging the BJP governments in Gujarat, Goa and Punjab, which vote in the next few months.