The rain may have been beating down on the Capital incessantly but even the downpour could not dampen the spirits of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and supporters on Friday as they waited to welcome their leader Arvind Kejriwal.
After more than 150 days in jail, the Delhi chief minister finally walked out of Tihar on Friday evening as the Supreme Court ordered his release on bail in the excise policy scam.
All roads in the national capital seemed to lead to the AAP convenor’s house in Civil Lines where an enthusiastic throng of party workers threw caution to the wind and burst firecrackers, unmindful of the Kejriwal government’s ban on the activity in the city over the last few years to curb pollution.
Chote Lal, who in his 60s, came all the way from Shahdara to see Kejriwal. “We just wanted to see him,” he said. When asked if he got a chance to speak to the chief minister, Lal said even seeing Kejriwal was akin to “seeing God”.
Manish Makkar and his sister Maya Yadav, both in their 50s, came from Gurugram, giving a break to their work to campaign for the party for the Haryana assembly elections.
“Can there be a better day for us? This is even better than winning any election. The energy we will gather from here will be used for the poll campaign. How can we do anything else today? Today is Diwali in Delhi,” Makkar said.
Yadav said there is no one more important for her than Kejriwal and his release from prison seems personal. “He is my brother. I don’t have anyone more important than Kejriwal. How could I do anything else when my brother is coming back home after so long?” she told News18.
Dancing outside Kejriwal’s house, Chaudhary Vijay Pal, president of Ward (216), Jhilmil, said Kejriwal’s release was just the start and they would continue the celebrations till he returns as chief minister again next year.
“This was a fraud case. There was no evidence against Kejriwal. We will win the 2025 elections with full majority,” he added.
From supporters dancing, holding banners, and bursting crackers to those waiting in the soaking rain for hours — the scene outside Kejriwal’s residence was of unparalleled joy and celebration.
Speaking to News18 at the party office, Afzal Khan, who has been with the AAP since its formation, said the rain is a happy sign.
“Even God is celebrating his release. Lord Ram served 14 years of exile. Our Ram is also returning from his exile. The rain is a good omen,” Khan said.
Kejriwal, who held a roadshow on the way after walking out of Tihar, thanked everyone who prayed for his release.
“You have braved rain to come here and I am thankful to you… They put me in jail to break me but my resolve has only grown stronger. Jails cannot break me. I will continue my fight against anti-national forces,” he said in his first speech.
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