Ahmedabad/Surat/Delhi: Following allegations by the Aam Aadmi Party that its candidate from Surat East assembly constituency, Kanchan Jariwala, had been kidnapped after he went missing on Tuesday, the latter denied any such occurrence, stating he was visiting his relatives to curb 'mental pressure'.
Speaking on the matter, Jariwala on Wednesday said people insisted he does not contest as an AAP candidate. "My brother and his wife informed me that a lot of people did not wish to see me representing AAP. Which is why I chose to withdraw my resignation" he said.
When asked about his whereabouts, the leader observed that due to pressure on himself, he decided to spend time with his relatives away from home. "I was not at home as people kept visiting. I was under pressure, and was spending time away with my relatives" he added.
Significantly, he further alleged that people within the party were 'dissatisfied' with him. "Fellow party workers were not happy with me. They said they would not work with me if I got the ticket" Jariwala said.
I do not have a team for myself. The thought of what way can I mount a strong contest was weighing me down. It is not any kind of greed, and I had not been kidnapped by anyone either, he also said.
Meanwhile, the kidnap speculation was stoked by AAP national Spokesperson Raghav Chadha, who said Jariwala was 'in the custody' of BJP goons. "The BJP is so scared of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP that they've started kidnapping our candidates now. There is visual evidence of how the Gujarat Police and BJP goons forced him, at gunpoint, to withdraw his candidature" he said.
When asked about Jariwala's clarification of societal considerations, Chadha said it was 'due to physical and mental pressure' from the BJP that the former was forced to find a recourse.
"Mr. Jariwala has been a part of the Gujarat unit for more than two years, and has sacrificed a lot. During this time, nobody from the society said anything to him. He and his family members are constantly under both physical and mental pressure to do as they are told.
This is exactly that. Last night, the entire family was put up at a secure location, and his phone was switched off" Chadha further asserted. He further appealed to the administration to provide security to Jariwala, claiming the leader would himself come out with details once he felt secured.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India on Wednesday directed Gujarat's Chief Electoral Officer to inquire the matter and take action 'as warranted'. Earlier in the day, a four-member delegation of the AAP met EC officials after holding a protest outside the poll body's office.
