You can stall him but you cannot stop him: AAP

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a hurdle even before he officially became a candidate for the Delhi elections. The AAP chief had to wait for hours before he could file his nomination papers.

• Given token no. 45, Arvind Kejriwal waits to file nomination
• AAP MLA says dozens without proper nomination papers causing delay
• Glad so many people participating in democracy: Kejriwal

It’s a photo likely to launch a meme or two: a grim-looking Arvind Kejriwal waiting in a crowded room for his turn to file nomination papers, bang on the Tuesday deadline. Holding token number 45, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was seen waiting to file his nomination for the New Delhi Assembly seat on Tuesday on the last day for filing nominations.

An AAP MLA said dozens of election candidates without proper nomination papers or enough proposers were refusing to let the Delhi chief minister file his papers — until they themselves were done, that is.

Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed around 35 candidates were causing the delay.

Around 35 candidates sitting at RO office with CM, without proper nomination papers , without even 10 proposers. They r calling their proposers on phone to come.

They r insisting unless their papers r complete and they file Nomination, they won't allow CM to file Nomination.

— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) January 21, 2020

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also accused the BJP of trying to stop Kejriwal from filing his nomination. Taking to Twitter he wrote, “BJP has sent 45 candidates to file their nominations before Arvind Kejriwal. The Election Commission is intentionally spending 30 minutes to 1 hour on those who don’t have all the papers, those who don’t have proposers — all so that Arvind Kejriwal can be stopped from filing his nomination.”

बीजेपी ने @ArvindKejriwal से पहले आज 45 उम्मीदवार पर्चे भरने के लिए लाइन में लगा दिए हैं. चुनाव आयोग जानबूझकर हर उम्मीदवार को आधा या एक घंटा दिए जा रहा है, जिसके काग़ज़ पूरे नही है उसे भी, जिसके प्रस्तावक नही है उनको भी, ताकि @ArvindKejriwal को पर्चा भरने से रोका जा सके. https://t.co/obLA4RpekV

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) January 21, 2020

The chief minister himself tweeted about the long queue but framed his message rather differently.

“Waiting to file my nomination. My token no is 45. There are many people here to file nomination papers. Am so glad so many people participating in democracy,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

Waiting to file my nomination. My token no is 45. There are many people here to file nomination papers. Am so glad so many people participating in democracy.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2020

He later responded to Saurabh Bharadwaj’s tweet, saying he was “enjoying” waiting with the other candidates. Many of them were contesting for the time, he said, adding that the AAP should “hand-hold” them.

Doesn’t matter. Many of them r filing for the first time. They r bound to make mistakes. We also made mistakes the first time. We shud hand hold them. I am enjoying waiting wid them. They r all part of my family. https://t.co/9s8hRDnjSU

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2020

Arvind Kejriwal was able to file his papers after waiting for nearly seven hours at the Jamnagar House office of the Election Commission. AAP also announced the completion of the filing process with a tweet.

You can stall him but you cannot stop him. pic.twitter.com/s5rsZRk1Hy

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 21, 2020

Kejriwal planned to file his papers on Monday but failed to reach the Election Commission office on time after holding a roadshow. The Aam Aadmi Party is bracing for what’s expected to be a tough contest with the BJP in next month’s assembly election.

Delhi goes to polls on February 8 and counting will take place on February 11. BJP has fielded Sunil Yadav against Kejriwal while Congress has fielded Romesh Sabharwal.