Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi use black money for campaigning, alleges Arvind Kejriwal

Varanasi: AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday filed his nomination for high-profile Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and accused Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi of spending huge sums of money in the ongoing electoral battle which, he said, was all about eliminating corruption.

The anti-graft crusader submitted his documents to the Returning Officer after a two-and-a-half-hour roadshow, which was attended by the top brass of the AAP, hundreds of party volunteers and a large number of people.

Kejriwal, who led his fledgling party to a spectacular performance in the Delhi assembly polls last year, filed four sets of nomination papers.

Before entering the fray from the holy city, the AAP leader held a roadshow describing the polls as a fight to "save democracy" and appealed to the people to bring a change in the political system.

"This is not my fight. This fight is for those who want to eradicate corruption. The fight is for those who want to see the Ganges clean. This is a fight to have good roads in Varanasi and eliminate poverty," he said.

Kejriwal accused BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, his formidable opponent in the battle for Varanasi seat, and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of spending huge sums of money on electioneering, saying the ongoing exercise is all about "eliminating corruption and ensuring inclusive growth".

"I was told Modi is spending Rs 5000 crore in the election. Gandhi is also spending a lot of money. You watch TV, read newspapers, see billboards, they are there and everywhere.

"So much money has been spent on advertisements. This is black money. The people who are giving the money will make at least Rs 5 lakh crore if he (Modi) captures power and it will be people’s money," he said.