Took guts to give up being chief minister, says Arvind Kejriwal

Ghaziabad: Arvind Kejriwal, the top man of the Aam Aadmi Party, today told supporters that he did not "flee" his responsibilities by resigning as Chief Minister of Delhi after a 49-day term. (Back to aam aadmi, Kejriwal quits as Delhi chief minister)

Surrendering the post required a "lot of guts" said Mr Kejriwal, who is now running for parliament from Varanasi against Narendra Modi, the BJP's choice for Prime Minister. (Full coverage: India Votes 2014)

His remarks were made today in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, where he said AAP is committed to fighting the "shanenshahs" or "emperors" that are up for election from the two behemoths of the Congress and the BJP.

"If Kumar Vishwas can defeat Rahul Gandhi, then Congress will be finished. It is because of the Gandhi family, Congress is united today. And, if we can defeat Modi from Varanasi, BJP
will be finished. Thus, this election has the potential to be the turning point in the history of the country," said Mr Kejriwal,

Mr Kejriwal said his decision to exit the Chief Minister's office was in retaliation to a collusion between the BJP and Congress to stall the anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill, a proposal that he had championed.