New Delhi/Jaipur, April 24: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been facing criticism for his “insensitivity” in going ahead with his speech at a rally where a farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide, Friday acknowledged his “mistake” and tendered an apology.
However, the family of Gajendra Singh, 41, who ended his life by hanging himself from a tree at a rally called by AAP Wednesday, rejected the apology and demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
“I was to deliver an hour-long speech but I wrapped it up in 10-15 minutes. I think that was my mistake. Probably I should not have spoken. If that has hurt anyone’s sentiments I would like to apologise,” an under-fire Kejriwal said.
He, however, insisted that the focus should not deviate from the “real” issues being faced by the farmers.
“I am guilty. I feel the rally should have been called off. But please focus on the real issue of the farmers and desist from politicking. Whoever is guilty hang him but the focus of the debate should be on why the farmers are committing suicide,” Kejriwal said.
The Delhi Chief Minister had drawn flak for making a 20-minute speech at his Jantar Mantar rally even after the incident had taken place. Kejriwal had spoken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of working for the “super rich”.
Senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas had said the incident was an attempt to sabotage the rally and sully the party’s image, unwittingly implicating Gajendra Singh in a sinister plot to discredit his party.
In another comment considered “crass” by many, another senior AAP leader Ashutosh had said the next time anybody tries to commit suicide he would tell Kejriwal to rescue him. PTI
