Calling "communalism a bigger problem than corruption", Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that they would put up a "very strong candidate against Narendra Modi" once the latter announces the parliamentary seat from where he will contest the 2014 elections.
"Communalism is a bigger problem than corruption," said Arvind Kejriwal while addressing a gathering of Muslim leaders, youth and businessman at the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) here. The meeting was organised by IICC President Sirajuddin Qureshi.
While replying to a query on whether he would stand against BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi, Kejriwal said he can give them "an assurance that a very strong AAP leader will fight against him (Narendra Modi)" once the constituency from where Modi stands for Lok Sabhs polls is announced.
Kejriwal said he himself had fought against Sheila Dikshit, three time chief minister, in Delhi elections, challenging her rule in the national capital.
However, a charged audience, that comprised of young professionals, students, businessman from several areas, was not satisfied with Kejriwal's answer. One such audience member remarked that there is no stronger leader in AAP than Kejriwal and thus he should fight against Modi. To this, a smiling Kejriwal replied that in politics everything cannot be revealed at once and again repeated his assurance of putting up the "strongest AAP leader against Modi".
Speculation has been rife over the last few days that Kejriwal will stand against Modi in the Lok Sabha polls and that AAP is just waiting for Modi to announce his seat — a tactic that paid off for AAP in the Delhi assembly elections in which he convincingly defeated Dikshit.
Meanwhile, during his speech, Kejriwal made both "communalism and corruption" as two of the main AAP planks, stating that both are important issues due to which people of India are suffering.
"Communalism is a bigger problem than corruption because corruption only results in loss of money but due to communalism people lose their lives and families are shattered," said Kejriwal.
Just before Kejriwal started his speech, one of the organisers praised Kejriwal for making SIT on Sikh riots and demanded formation of similar SITs in thousands of riots against Muslims if AAP comes to power.
Kejriwal replied that he would. "But what is needed is deterrence … thus if even in one case we can get life sentence to riot perpetrators and top leaders of their parties then it would be a tough message to everyone," said Kejriwal.
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