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I am not in race for PM or CM: Kejriwal tells Rediff readers

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 16:14 IST
AAP leader answers questions from Rediff readers

'The people's power that we are witnessing is amazing'

'Is the UPA is in collusion with Mukesh Ambani?’

'In today's politics financial honesty is extremely important?'

Back to being the aam aadmi after he stepped down as Delhi chief minister last week after a 49-day tenure, Arvind Kejriwal answered a volley of questions from readers, as he appeared on the Rediff Chat on Tuesday. An excerpt from the chat:

Arvind Kejriwal: Thank you rediff.com for giving this opportunity to talk to people. 

ashish goyal: 1 final question you filed a FIR against Ambani. Bravo that’s nice. But how about the Polititians? You made tall claims about the corruption for specific politicians but no action were really taken for the same.

Arvind Kejriwal: But, we filed FIRs against the misdeeds of the Sheila Dikshit government also.

Jai Singh: Sir, speak up freely, you are not facing Arnab Goswami here

Arvind Kejriwal: 
am answering Jay

aka: Will AAP stand any candidate against Narendra Modi in the LS elections?

Arvind Kejriwal: Surely.

ankush dhingra: Sir, since u are fighting against business giants and all big leaders of the BJP and Congress, i assume that you will have tough time ahead. And the media is also against u nowadays. So what’s your strategy on this?

Arvind Kejriwal: I agree it is a tough fight. But it is not my fight. It’s a collective fight of all ordinary men and women in this country against the corrupt system.

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'Level of corruption has come down substantially'

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 16:14 IST
Kejriwal answers questions posed to him by Rediff readers

Avinash Sonule: What did you achieve by being CM

Arvind Kejriwal: we did a lot of work. The most important being that level of corruption has come down substantially.

bipin vora: only one Q. what is parameter of honesty for you? Is it true u were forced to pay government salary after order of authority? Why have you not done it on your own without order?

Arvind Kejriwal: One has to be true to oneself. But, in today's politics financial honesty is extremely important.

Girish Dua: While the cost of extracting gas may be $1 but the cost of drilling a gas well may run into millions of dollars and not all wells are commercially viable.

Arvind Kejriwal: $ 1 per unit of gas extraction includes both capital and revenue cost. If that is the case then why should country pay $ 8 plus per unit. Why is this happening? Is it because UPA is in collusion with Mukesh Ambani. Why are Modi and BJP silent? Are they also in collusion?

Neeraj jain: don't you think its to early to eye for PM?

Arvind Kejriwal: I said, I dont want to become PM. I am not in the race of PM or CM.

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'I can't fight for corruption-free India alone'

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 16:14 IST
AAP supporters during a rally

subbu: We wish AAP should come in full majority to change India systems. 

Arvind Kejriwal: Thank you so much but it is not about the party. It is about the people regaining control over governance. AAP is working for that.

Vasant Shrinivas: You played a very good game by resigning so that you can concentrate on a bigger objective i.e. try too become pm or else if you were serious about the Jan lokpal bill you would have followed the right procedures for introducing it.

Arvind Kejriwal: I am not interested in becoming PM. I won’t fight Lok Sabha election!!!!!!

Sebastian Cherukanam: After the emphatic win in Delhi election, you looked ‘above’ and praised ‘someone’ sitting there, thanked as though that ‘someone’ was behind that win. I think you did so because just like others, you too are blind. What is your opinion on religions and the Gods mentioned there?

Arvind Kejriwal: In last few years I have become a believer. Something very divine is happening in our country. The kind of people's power that we are witnessing is amazing. and I feel that the nature is doing its work.

Shashi KS: What is your strategy for next election

Arvind Kejriwal: Hi. thanks for answering. We are fighting for corruption free India. i cant do it alone. All the right thinking people of the country will have to come together. That is our strategy!

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'We should have friendly relations on equal terms with neighbouring nations'

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 16:14 IST
Arvind Kejriwal with AAP members Kumar Vishwas and Manish Sisodia

Ratan Verma: Most of time I heard about Delhi Why you are not in Mumbai , Kolkata  and other parts. Is this is becoz u think there is more corruption in Delhi only.....

Arvind Kejriwal: Now i will be traveling all across the country.

Narayani:hey sir you brought many changes in the city in 49days only --i dont need to mention those--it was awesome...

Arvind Kejriwal: Thanks,Narayani. Corruption level has come down quite a lot in New Delhi. Besides there were many initiatives taken by Delhi government.

kmallesu kmallesu: Sir we invite to Andhra Pradesh for AAP party prachar

Arvind Kejriwal: Sure. I will come

Adit: what what is ur take on relations with neighbouring countries

Arvind Kejriwal: we should have friendly relations on equal terms.

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'When you work on path of truth good forces will help you'

Last updated on: February 18, 2014 16:14 IST
AAP supporters during a concert at Jantar Mantar

Neeraj Paliwal: Sir, AAP is doing excellent work but it doesn't have enough fund to fight election across the country. How will you manage it? I already donated and encouraged others too but the requirement is very high and only few days are left.

Arvind Kejriwal: People will give money. When you work on path of truth all the good forces of the universe will help you. We will win.

AjitBijlaney: Why are you trying to do so much in a hurry? Why dont you strategise and screen your candidates and fight fewer seats but ensure you have the right candidates. This way in no time you will have all the ruffians on earth in your party and it will be very tough for you to cleanse it out..

Arvind Kejriwal: We are taking lot of care in screening our candidates. First of all I complete agree with your concerns.

sanjayprakash: Sir, the Delhi Assembly is in "suspended animation". Will AAP again put forth its claim to form the government in near future?

Arvind Kejriwal: No. We would like fresh election to take place. We are confident that AAP will get majority.

sanjayprakash: Sir, the Delhi Assembly is in “suspended animation”. Will AAP again put forth its claim to form the government in near future?

Arvind Kejriwal: No. We would like fresh election to take place. We are confident that AAP will get majority.

Ashishgoyal:  1 final question you filed a FIR against Ambani. Bravo thats nice. But how about the polititians? You made tall claims about the corruption for specific politicians but no action were really taken for the same.

Arvind Kejriwal: But, we filed FIRs against the misdeeds of the Sheila Dixit government, also.

Arvind Kejriwal: Thank you all for your questions. It was great to be here.