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Kejriwal re-launches anti-graft helpline

(TOI photo: Rajesh Mehta)

NEW DELHI: At a time when his credibility is under attack by AAP functionaries , Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has played the victim card. He has alleged that a huge conspiracy is being hatched to tarnish and defame him and his government by vested interests who do not want the AAP regime to succeed. He, however, warned his opponents that there is none who can blackmail him and he was not going to fall prey to such tactics.The CM cited three categories of people who are trying to damage him and his party’s men. These, he said, include political parties who have ‘lost sleep’ after AAP’s rise, corrupt people who see in the government a threat to their vested interests and blackmailers for which he cited the example of his experience with a media house without taking any names. The statement at the launch of the anti-graft helpline at Talkatora Stadium on Sunday before volunteers and supporters yet again brought to the fore the recent turbulence in AAP and the attacks on Kejriwal by senior members from within his party.The question that remains unanswered is in which of these three categories he would put senior functionaries Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, among many others, who have recently been cold shouldered by Kejriwal for their criticism of his style of functioning.“Since my government has come to power, a huge conspiracy is being hatched against me and my government. Those indulging in this are doing everything to insult and defame us and their aim is to ensure that our government does not succeed. Today, if anyone stands up and abuses Kejriwal it becomes breaking news. Someone writes a blog or tweets against me and it becomes news. Attacking Kejriwal is today a way to become famous. Why is all this happening? This is nothing but a big conspiracy,” he told the audience comprising AAP MLAs, volunteers, supporters and the general public.In an apparent reference to dissidents Prashant Bhushan and Yogender Yadav, without naming anyone Kejriwal said blogs are being written and comments are posted on social networking sites to discredit and weaken him. He made it clear that he will not be shaken by such campaigns.Kejriwal claimed AAP’s victory in Delhi polls has shaken political parties. “All corrupt people and blackmailers have joined hands against us. No one in this world can blackmail me as I am an honest man and have public support,” he said.