Sunita Kejriwal’s Increasing Role Sparks Speculation of Succession Plan; BJP Leaders Draw Comparisons with Rabri Devi

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri drew parallels between Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, and Rabri Devi, wife of former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD veteran Lalu Prasad Yadav, suggesting that Sunita might follow in Rabri Devi’s footsteps to succeed her husband in governance.

“Possibly, the lady you mentioned is gearing up to assume a position similar to Rabri Devi’s in Bihar,” quoted news agency PTI, Puri stated while addressing reporters after attending the inauguration ceremony of the Delhi BJP’s election office. He was accompanied by leaders such as Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Bansuri Swaraj.

Puri also criticized Delhi’s CM for forming an alliance with what he referred to as the “most corrupt party”, the same party against which they initially launched an anti-corruption movement with veteran social activist Anna Hazare.

“When Arvind Kejriwal entered politics, he claimed to be leading a movement against corruption. Yet, now he’s allied with whom? The very party is known for its corruption. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal received 9 summons but didn’t respond. Let’s not even talk about Arvind Kejriwal; his time is running out…” ANI quoted Puri as saying.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari also questioned AAP, wondering why only Kejriwal’s wife is defending him and not the people of Delhi. “Even the High Court’s honourable justice stated that they couldn’t prevent his (Arvind Kejriwal’s) arrest, and expressed surprise over why he hadn’t been arrested yet (at that time). Does holding press conferences absolve criminals of their crimes? The real question is why only his wife is speaking out in his defence, and not the people of Delhi,” he told PTI.

In addition to Puri, Union Minister Anurag Thakur previously suggested that Sunita might be following the same path as Rabri Devi to assume the role of CM. He noted that when Lalu Yadav was arrested in the fodder scam, his wife Rabri Devi started making announcements and eventually became the CM of Bihar. Similarly, Sunita, who has been more publicly active since her husband’s arrest, appears to be following a similar trajectory to become Delhi’s CM.

Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign

Earlier in the day, Sunita Kejriwal initiated a WhatsApp campaign, ‘Kejriwal ko Aashirwad’, sharing a WhatsApp number where people can send their wishes to the incarcerated leader. “Starting today, we are launching a campaign – Kejriwal ko aashirvaad. You can send your blessings and prayers to Kejriwal on this number,” she announced.

During a digital media briefing, Sunita stated that her husband has stood up against the “most corrupt and dictatorial forces” in the country and urged people to support him through their blessings and prayers.

Who is Sunita Kejriwal?

Sunita Kejriwal, a 1994-batch Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer, met Arvind Kejriwal, also a 1995-batch IRS officer, during a training program in Bhopal. She voluntarily retired from the I-T department in 2016 after 22 years of service.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Despite being issued nine summons by the probe agency, he did not appear before the ED. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court extended his ED custody until April 1.

(with inputs from news agencies)

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