Advani cancels meeting with Kejriwal

A meeting between Bharatiya Janata Party leader L KAdvani and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Friday called off, triggering speculation whether the BJP had a hand in the cancellation.

Interestingly, Kejriwal who had like other opposition leaders on Thursday shared Advani’s fears on the possibility of imposition of Emergency in India, had sought an appointment with the BJP veteran.

Sources in Kejriwal’s office said it was conveyed to them by Advani’s office that he has some engagements and cannot meet the chief minister as decided earlier.

Advani’s office said the meeting will be rescheduled sometime next week because he will not be in town on Saturday and Sunday.

The chief minister, the sources said, wanted to discuss with Advani the demand for full statehood to Delhi besides other issues.

At the BJP briefing, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi downplayed questions on whether there was any pressure on Advani to cancel the meeting with Kejriwal.

“Advani is a senior leader of the party and when and whom he meets, it is his decision,” Trivedi said.