Zee Media Bureau
Bhopal: After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal rejected to accept two five-bedroom duplex flats in the backdrop of criticism from the opposition parties, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protesters protest against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for holding an unused bungalow for last eight years.
The AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal today announced his decision not to take up the two five-bedroom duplex flats he has been allotted.
He told the media that he has asked the government to look for smaller accommodation for him.
"Since yesterday my friends, supporters have been calling me and sending messages saying I should not move into the five-bedroom flat. So, I have decided to forego them. I am asking the government to look for smaller accommodation for me," he said at a party strategy meeting.
He said till then, he would function from his Ghaziabad residence.
Kejriwal has been allotted two five-bedroom duplex flats on Bhagwan Das Road one of which is to be used as his office.
Questioning the Aam Admi party credentials, his opponents including the BJP had attacked him for taking up the flats.
BJP MLAs had yesterday come down hard on Kejriwal in the Delhi Assembly on the issue, saying his decision to accept the two flats was in "total contradiction" of AAP`s claim that it will practice austerity.
Asked about the attack on him for choosing a big apartment, Kejriwal said, "It is actually important. We have come to cleanse dirty politics. Like Caesar`s wife we have to be above suspicion and we have to subject ourselves to scrutiny".
The Delhi Chief Minister had said yesterday, "I have been given two separate houses, each having five bedrooms. You can take your camera and check the houses. I will be living in one of those with my family while using the other as my office where we can work till late hour".
In an another important announcement, terming the use of red beacon as a legacy of British rule in India, Kejriwal said he will try to abolish the VIP culture wherever he gets a chance.
"The VIP culture should be abolished from the country. It (red beacon) was a part of British Culture. Angrej Chaley gaye, lal batti rah gaye (Britishers left, red beacon remained). We will try to abolish VIP culture wherever we get a chance," Kejriwal told reporters when they asked him whether he will advise chief ministers of other states to do away with beacons.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal ruled out speculations that he will contest Lok Sabha polls, hours after senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said that he wants to see the Delhi CM as the next Prime Minister of India.
"I am not contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Out of affection for me, Yogendra Yadav has said that," he told reporters when they asked him about Yadav`s remark that his dream is to see Kejriwal as Prime Minister.
Kejriwal said the politics of the day is not that who will be the PM. "Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Narendra Modi nor Arvind Kejriwal is important. The country`s politics is fight against inflation and corruption. People are fed up with these two malaise pervading the country."
Earlier in the day, another AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said the decision on PM candidate will be taken after the Lok Sabha election results.
With PTI inputs
