Arvind Kejriwal hosts a Gujarat safai karamchari

In a major outreach to the Dalit community in election-bound Gujarat, AAP convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal hosted the family of a safai karamchari from the state at his home and showcased his Delhi model with visits to government-run schools and hospitals.

Harsh Solanki, a safai karamchari belonging to Valmiki community, alongwith his mother Lata and sister Suhani were flown in from Gujarat and received by Gujarat co-incharge and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Monday. The visit was planned following Kejriwal's interaction with safai karamcharis in Gujarat on Sunday in which Harsh asked the AAP convenor if he would come to his home for a meal. Kejriwal told Harsh that in the run-up to elections leaders usually visit homes of Dalits, but he would like to first host Harsh and his family. Harsh was visibly moved by this gesture on Monday when Kejriwal kept his word and had lunch with his family at the official residence in New Delhi.

Speaking to media after his visit to schools and hospitals, Harsh said, "This is the first time in 75 years that a leader has hosted a Dalit family at his home like this. This is the first time that a leader has said that first you come to my home and then I will visit you. I was moved by this gesture. We visited schools and hospitals and really liked the facilities offered here in Delhi. I will go back and tell this to my community also."


Kejriwal said, "We don't know how to do politics. We just know how to provide education, roads, health facilities, electricity and water. If you see Congress or BJP, neither party speaks about giving facilities to people."