Kejriwal holds roadshow, fails to file election nomination

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday held a roadshow with his wife and two children in tow along with Aam Aadmi Party leaders and supporters, but could not file his nomination papers during the day as planned due to delay.
Kejriwal will now file his nomination today the last day for filing of papers – from the New Delhi constituency for the February 8 assembly polls.
He earlier visited a temple here before hopping on to an open jeep for the roadshow.
“Today, I had to file the nomination and the office closes at 3pm but I saw so much love from the people (in the roadshow) that I did not want to end this. I was told at 2pm that we are behind schedule and I should stop here. But I was not able to leave you people alone midway like this. The roadshow is ending now as the police permission is over. Tomorrow morning, I will go with my family to file the nomination. I am thankful to all for giving so much love and support. You have walked a long distance with me,” Kejriwal said.
Apart from his wife Sunita Kejriwal and their two children, Kejriwal was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh as a sea of supporters holding brooms (the party’s election symbol) and placards walked along.
Amid heavy security, the participants shouted slogans in praise of Kejriwal. Many supporters were seen dancing to the tune of the party theme song.
Kejriwal is seeking re-election from the seat for the third time – he won in 2013 and 2015 with a vote percentage of 53.46 and 64.34 respectively.
Recalling the 2013 elections, Kejriwal earlier tweeted: “It was from here in 2013 that we took a broom for the first time to clear politics. Today, once again (after) I will go to file my nomination.” Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are yet to announce their candidates against the AAP chief.
Addressing party leaders and supporters at the end of the roadshow, Kejriwal said he was “touched” by the overwhelming support.
“We have worked really hard in these five years to improve the lives of Delhi people. We have tried to improve the lives of all sections of people, including children, elderly and women. We have worked with sheer honesty, and today marks the beginning of gearing up for the next five years. I hope people are happy with Delhi’s development since 2015.... I hope that you will bless us the same way as you blessed us five years back,” he said.
He appealed to his supporters to go door to door to urge people to vote for the AAP.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Raghav Chadha said the 2019 Lok Sabha election defeat has not demotivated him.
“The last election was different. That time it was Modi vs who. This election is about Kejriwal vs who. Although I lost the last Lok Sabha poll, this time I am sure to win. People have acknowledged the work done by the Arvind Kejriwal government. That’s why I am hopeful that people will vote for the AAP,” Chadha told IANS.
Chadha, who lost from the South Delhi parliamentary constituency to Ramesh Bidhuri of the BJP, is trying his luck from the Rajinder Nagar assembly seat.
The AAP leader said neither the BJP nor the Congress posed any challenge to him. “While the Congress is nowhere in this election and has reached its end, the people are fed up with the BJP.”