Aam Aadmi Party is heading to a historic, landslide win in Delhi and its chief wants to make sure that party workers and victorious candidates don't become complacent. And he credited his wife with providing the support that made his success possible.
"Arrogance did Congress in, arrogance did BJP in. I appeal to all, including MLAs and party workers, to have no room for arrogance," said Arvind Kejriwal at noon to his broom-wielding supporters after trends from the Election Commission showed his party leading in 65 seats, out of a total of 70 assembly seats. The broom or 'jhaadu' is the party's electoral symbol.
"Such a huge victory is scary. We will need to work together to serve the people of Delhi," he said, speaking for the first time around noon after trends started coming in at 8 am.
Kejriwal then introduced his wife, Sunita Kejriwal to the crowd. "She is a government servant and constantly fears the government might take action against her. But today I dragged her out here and told her there is no need to be scared," he said to chants of "Paanch Saal Kejriwal".
Kejriwal also said that he wanted to bring his wife to the front, because she usually prefers staying in the background but had an invaluable contribution in his success. "Without her support I would not have been able to do anything," he said.
Thank u Sunita for always being there "@rsaraf007: Sunita Kejriwal and @ArvindKejriwal first pics after winning pic.twitter.com/eDLxfxKMbd"
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 10, 2015
While AAP supporters celebrated, the BJP faced a humiliating defeat and is on course to win just 4 seats, from 31 in 2013. For the Congress, which ruled the state for fifteen years, the results were a nightmare coming true. The party is on course to score a complete blank, and trends show it not leading in a single seat. Ajay Maken, who had led campaigning for the party, said he was quitting from the post of party general secretary and taking responsibility for the drubbing.
And now, Dear @ArvindKejriwal its time for you to prove you deserve the immense faith that Voters have put on ur shoulders #DelhiDecides
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) February 10, 2015