New Delhi, June 3 (V7N Dhaka) - Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent opponent of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirmed his commitment to fighting against what he termed "dictatorship" before returning to jail on Sunday, following elections widely anticipated to result in another significant victory for the Hindu-nationalist leader.
 
Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi and a key figure in an opposition alliance formed to challenge Modi, has been under scrutiny in a corruption probe. His arrest a month prior to the general elections, which began in April, was viewed by colleagues as a "political conspiracy" orchestrated by Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
 
Despite his ordeal, Kejriwal vowed to persist in his fight from behind bars. "When power turns into dictatorship, then jail becomes a duty," he declared, pledging to continue his battle for democracy.
 
After bidding an emotional farewell to supporters at his Aam Aadmi party headquarters, Kejriwal returned to jail, as confirmed by his party spokesman.
 
Exit polls indicated that Modi was poised for a resounding victory, with the Prime Minister expressing confidence in the electorate's support. Final results are expected on Tuesday.
 
Meanwhile, tragedy marred the election process as at least 33 polling staff succumbed to heatstroke in Uttar Pradesh state alone, where temperatures soared to 46.9 degrees Celsius (116.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
 
Kejriwal, 55, a prominent anti-corruption crusader, has been chief minister for nearly a decade. His government faced allegations of corruption over a policy to liberalize liquor sales in 2021, leading to a probe that ensnared top aides.
 
Amid concerns over democratic norms, Modi's political opponents, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party and Hemant Soren, the former chief minister of Jharkhand, have faced legal challenges. Despite their efforts, the opposition bloc, comprising over two dozen parties, struggled to make significant headway against Modi.
 
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