Farrukhabad:
Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal had been told in no uncertain terms that when he arrives in Farrukhabad on today, it will be at his own risk. The threat level stands reduced apparently.
This is the constituency of union minister Salman Khurshid, and Mr Kejriwal plans to highlight corruption charges against the Congressman.
After initially warning they would "send him back with a blackened face," the minister's local supporters say they will "blacken him by exposing his wrongdoings." That's unlikely to stir Mr Kejriwal, habitual holder of press conferences to expose what he believes are corrupt politicians.
Congressmen here have also organized special caps that say "Main hoon Salman" (I am Salman), a sartorial comeback to the cap that declares "main aam aadmi hoon" (I am the common man) which Mr Kejriwal has been spotted with since he launched his political party, as yet unnamed, earlier this month.
The Bhartiya Kisan Union, an organization of farmers, siding with Mr Kejriwal, had said men armed with lathis or sticks will encircle him as he arrives in Farrukhabad. To prevent violence, the local police has said no lathis will be allowed at the venue of Mr Kejriwal's rally.
Farmers are extending their support to Mr Kejriwal because he has been taking on political parties for acquiring land from farmers under false pretexts and then handing it over for large profits to businesses.
A few weeks ago, a Hindi TV channel ran a detailed report on how an NGO headed by Mr Khurshid and run by his wife has allegedly been embezzling lakhs of funds meant for the differently-abled. Mr Kejriwal appropriated those charges to demand Mr Khurshid's resignation.
In a signal that it will not allow its leaders to be judged by Mr Kejriwal, the government on the weekend promoted Mr Khurshid from Law Minister to Foreign Affairs Minister as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. "This government rewards the corrupt," Mr Kejriwal retaliated.
Mr Khurshid's promotion came days after he was caught on camera, surrounded by supporters, threatening Mr Kejriwal. "The road to Farrukhabad is long, the minister said, "Let him go there... we will see how he comes back."
This is the constituency of union minister Salman Khurshid, and Mr Kejriwal plans to highlight corruption charges against the Congressman.
After initially warning they would "send him back with a blackened face," the minister's local supporters say they will "blacken him by exposing his wrongdoings." That's unlikely to stir Mr Kejriwal, habitual holder of press conferences to expose what he believes are corrupt politicians.
Congressmen here have also organized special caps that say "Main hoon Salman" (I am Salman), a sartorial comeback to the cap that declares "main aam aadmi hoon" (I am the common man) which Mr Kejriwal has been spotted with since he launched his political party, as yet unnamed, earlier this month.
The Bhartiya Kisan Union, an organization of farmers, siding with Mr Kejriwal, had said men armed with lathis or sticks will encircle him as he arrives in Farrukhabad. To prevent violence, the local police has said no lathis will be allowed at the venue of Mr Kejriwal's rally.
Farmers are extending their support to Mr Kejriwal because he has been taking on political parties for acquiring land from farmers under false pretexts and then handing it over for large profits to businesses.
A few weeks ago, a Hindi TV channel ran a detailed report on how an NGO headed by Mr Khurshid and run by his wife has allegedly been embezzling lakhs of funds meant for the differently-abled. Mr Kejriwal appropriated those charges to demand Mr Khurshid's resignation.
In a signal that it will not allow its leaders to be judged by Mr Kejriwal, the government on the weekend promoted Mr Khurshid from Law Minister to Foreign Affairs Minister as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. "This government rewards the corrupt," Mr Kejriwal retaliated.
Mr Khurshid's promotion came days after he was caught on camera, surrounded by supporters, threatening Mr Kejriwal. "The road to Farrukhabad is long, the minister said, "Let him go there... we will see how he comes back."
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