After 4 CMs, More Opposition Leaders Back Kejriwal; Cong Missing

The support to Kejriwal by 4 CMs assume significance as it comes amidst the rallying cry for opposition unity.

Chief ministers of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala on Saturday, 16 June rallied behind their Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, who has been protesting at the Raj Niwas for six consecutive days demanding that the "strike" by bureaucrats in the city be called off.

At the press conference at Kejriwal's residence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked the Centre to resolve the "crisis" immediately.

The open support to Kejriwal by the four chief ministers assume significance as it comes amidst efforts by leading Opposition parties to stitch together a rainbow coalition ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

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The developments on Saturday in the national capital drew reactions from all corners of political circles. First, it was Union Minister Vijay Goel, who hit out at the four non-NDA Chief Ministers for backing Kejriwal.

Do these four chief ministers know what led to this crisis? Where were these people when Delhi’s Chief Secretary was being humiliated and assaulted? This crisis began from there.

Vijay Goyal to ANI

While, it was four CMs who visited Kejriwal’s residence, he received support from all the familiar faces of the opposition, except the Congress.

Patidar leader Hardik Patel took to Twitter and said, "The party does not hold importance for me but I stand with Arvind Kejriwal in this battle. It is important for everybody to come together to save the democracy"

पार्टी मेरे लिए महत्व नहीं रखती लेकिन में अरविंद केजरीवाल जी की इस लड़ाई में साथ हूँ।लोकतंत्र को बचाने के लिए सब को एक होना होगा !!
I support @ArvindKejriwal

— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) June 16, 2018

Another young leader and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani wrote: “Be the case of not giving full statehood to Delhi or case of filing false offences against AAP MLAs one can imagine to what extent BJP-RSS will go if they come to power in 2019.”

Be the case of not giving full state hood to Delhi or case of filing false offences against AAP MLAs one can imagine to what extent BJP-RSS will go if they come to power in 2019. If Modi's intentions are not dubious why is he nt giving full statehood to delhi?@ArvindKejriwal

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) June 16, 2018

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah too voiced his support for Kejriwal.

Forget the arguments & counterarguments, a CM elected by the people of Delhi with an overwhelming majority is protesting in the Lt. Governor’s residence for the last 6 days & the powers that be couldn’t seem to care less. Democracy anyone?

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 17, 2018

DMK working president MK Stalin wrote that he is "concerned with the disdain shown by Lt. Gov. of Delhi” towards Kejriwal.

I am concerned with the disdain shown by Lt. Gov. of Delhi towards an elected Chief Minister like @ArvindKejriwal. The BJP is proactively destroying the federal structure of this nation. I express my solidarity with the Chief Ministers who are standing up for States' rights.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 16, 2018

Several political scientists and senior journalists talked about the Congress being missing from the action and what the support for Aam Aadmi Party could mean for opposition unity.

Back in 2011, Kejriwal adroitly used a Hazare fast to transition from obscure social activist to ambitious politician; now, Mamata seeks to use a Kejriwal dharna to transition from major state leader to major national leader.

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) June 16, 2018

It’s not going to happen. Mamata is the only person in India who makes Kejriwal look sane.

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) June 16, 2018

Moral of the story: never slap an IAS officer. Never. The LG is also a former IAS officer. If you have to hit an IAS officer make sure you hit him at a golf club with a golf ball but never at home. This is why KEJRIWAL is suffering! IAS blood is thicker than lassi.

— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) June 16, 2018

My advice of three days ago obviously had no effect in @RahulGandhi. Glad 4 CMs now following up on what @YashwantSinha & I did two days ago by attempting to go see @ArvindKejriwal or LG & were turned away. Cong seems like BJP B Team tonite. https://t.co/hki39Q51WY

— K. C. Singh (@ambkcsingh) June 16, 2018

Helpless congress watches on : can’t support Kejriwal yet doesn’t want to be left out of opp show of strength

— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) June 16, 2018

To sum it up in a gif:

Kejriwal. pic.twitter.com/S2bKRu1LnB

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) June 16, 2018