"The fight has just begun...": AAP's Gopal Rai attacks Centre over Kejriwal's arrest

New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): Hitting out at the Centre, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said on Sunday that Arvind Kejriwal, who is now in jail, is causing more trouble for his opponents than when he was free, adding that with Kejriwal's imprisonment, the fight has just started.

Rai added that the BJP thought jailing Kejriwal would end their problems, but it has actually started a bigger fight. Now, people all over the country are joining together to protect democracy, he added.

Rai's statement came after his participation in the INDIA bloc rally held on Sunday at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

"All senior leaders of the INDIA alliance from around the country gathered at the Ramlila Maidan. The large public gathering we saw at the rally today, indicates that Arvind Kejriwal is more dangerous inside the jail than he was outside. You thought that the fight would end with Arvind Kejriwal being imprisoned. But the fight has just begun after Arvind Kejriwal's imprisonment, the entire nation is moving forward to save the constitution and democracy," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said.

Rai also said that this election is not just about voting. It has become a big movement where ordinary people are standing up to fight for their rights. He believes that, in the end, democracy will win.

"This time, the election is not just an election, it has become a movement because, on one side, there is immense wealth and power, and on the other side, there are common people. All the common people will fight this election like a movement, and believe me, in this country, the truth will win and democracy will triumph," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said.

Earlier today, at the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray referred to BJP leaders as "thugs" and stated the need for a coalition government in the country.

He emphasised the necessity of transitioning to a coalition government, stating that one party and one person's government is dangerous for the country.

"Now, their (BJP's) dream is of crossing 400 (seats). It is time that one party and one person's government have to go because it has become dangerous for the country. We need to bring a coalition government now," Uddhav Thackeray said.

In a show of strength against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam and several other issues, the leaders of the INDIA bloc held a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other INDIA bloc leaders were present at the rally in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

The grand rally was also attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren.

AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, also addressed the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. He is in custody till April 1. (ANI)