New Delhi

Former chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Sunday (Sep 22) launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming the PM conspired to prove that he is corrupt. In his first public address following his release from jail in a graft case linked to liquor policy, Kejriwal said at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar that PM Modi hatched a major conspiracy against top Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders.

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“Prime Minister Narendra Modi conspired against us. He conspired to prove me and (AAP leader) Manish Sisodia corrupt. He tried to taint our image," Kejriwal charged.

He stressed that he had been running the Delhi government for the last decade with ‘honesty’ and claimed that the PM’s only plan to win against him ‘was to attack his honesty’. "I resigned because I am not hungry for the chief minister's chair. I am not here to earn money, but to change the politics of the country," the AAP supremo said.

He added that he suffered a lot and felt sad whenever the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would call him corrupt.

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"If Arvind Kejriwal is dishonest, would he have made electricity free? If he is dishonest, would he have made bus fares for women free? If he was dishonest, would he have built schools for children? If he was dishonest, would he have made treatment in hospitals free? The BJP is in power in 22 states. Have they made electricity or bus ride free for women in any of the states?" the AAP chief said.

Also read: President Murmu appoints Atishi as Delhi's new Chief Minister

Delhi's former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also talked about his sufferings upon his arrest, and claimed efforts were made to drive a wedge between him and Kejriwal.

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"They tried to break me. I was told that Arvind Kejriwal had framed me. They told the court that Arvind Kejriwal named Manish Sisodia. I was told in the jail, 'name Kejriwal, you will be saved'," the AAP leader said at the event.

Also read: ‘Why not today?’: BJP, Congress slam Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over resignation ‘gimmick’

Assembly elections are due in Delhi in February next year, and Kejriwal has announced that he will return as chief minister only after receiving a fresh mandate from the people. Till then, AAP leader Atishi has been given the charge to lead the Delhi government as chief minister.

(With inputs from agencies)