No party harassed to this extent in 75 years: Kejriwal
What's the story
Standing in front of posters depicting him behind bars, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal delivered his first campaign speech on Saturday.
His first target? Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a fiery speech, Kejriwal said no other party has been hounded to the same extent as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 75 years.
"They want to crush us, but the Aam Aadmi Party is an idea. It will keep growing," Kejriwal said.
Warning issued
All the thieves are in his party: Kejriwal
Kejriwal stated that while the prime minister claims to be fighting corruption, all the thieves are in his party.
"I want to say to PM Modi that if you want to fight corruption, then learn from Kejriwal...After the formation of the government in Delhi, I myself dismissed one of my ministers and sent him to jail."
"You include all the thieves in your party and send Kejriwal to jail, this is not a fight against corruption," he said.
Accusations and predictions
Kejriwal accuses BJP of power takeover and predicts changes
Kejriwal also accused PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating a power takeover within the BJP, pointing to how the BJP switches CMs in numerous states before assembly elections to "clip their wings."
He also predicted that if the BJP retains power, PM Modi will replace Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Delhi chief minister further alleged a pattern in the BJP's strategy to jail chief ministers in opposition-ruled states and overthrow their governments.
Personal experience
Kejriwal cites own arrest as example of BJP's strategy
Kejriwal cited his own arrest and subsequent jailing by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy case as an example of BJP's alleged strategy.
He also referenced Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's alleged harassment by central agencies at the behest of the central government.
He further said that he will travel across the country during the 21 days of bail as "every drop of my blood is for the country."
Bail and battle
Kejriwal granted interim bail, continues fight against dictatorship
Kejriwal will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
The Supreme Court granted him interim bail on Friday, nearly two months after his arrest by the ED in the excise policy case.
However, he is not allowed to go to his office, sign official documents or visit the Delhi secretariat without permission from the Lieutenant Governor.