Ahead of the Gujarat election; Arvind Kejriwal at the Sabarmati Ashram

In preparation for the Gujarat elections later this year, the Aam Aadmi Party has increased its activities in the state. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister, and Bhagwant Mann, Punjab's chief minister, began their two-day tour in Gujarat with a visit to Sabarmati Ashram.

Both leaders were seen spinning the charkha at Mahatma Gandhi's Ashram's 'Hriday Kunj'. Mahtma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi lived in Heday Kunj. Additionally, the leaders visited the Ashram's museum.

As a central point of India's freedom struggle, Sabarmati Ashram hosted Mahatma Gandhi as he started the Dandi March against the British Salt Law.

After touring the Ashram, Mr Kejriwal spoke to the media, "I feel gratitude to be born in the same country as Gandhiji. This is my first visit since I became Delhi Chief Minister. But I used to come here as an activist as well."

Bhagwant Mann added that, "I come from a land of freedom fighters-Punjab. I got to see a lot here. Gandhi Ji's letters and the various movements he spearheaded. Charkha is part of every other household in Punjab. My mother and grandmother also use it. I have seen the Charkha being used since my childhood. We are nationalist people and we love the nation. This is my first visit to Gujarat since I became Punjab CM."

"Ye pavitra sthaan hai. Rajneeti ki batein bahar" (This place is pure. All political talks will be outside.) Mr Kejriwal refused to answer political questions from the media.

Mr Kejriwal wrote the following in the Ashram's visitor's book: "This Ashram is a spiritual place. It feels like Gandhi ji's soul resides here. I also feel spiritual on coming here."

AAP leaders were later gifted miniature charkhas and a biography of Mahatma Gandhi by the officials at the Sabarmati Ashram.

On NDTV's coverage of the AAP leaders' visit, Lata Parmar, the communications coordinator at Sabarmati Ashram, said, "Both were happy to be here. They also tried to use the Charkha. Bhagwant Mann ji said that he has seen the Charkha from his childhood but the one used in Punjab is different from the one that belongs to Gandhi ji."

When asked if questions raised about the agenda of such visits affect the staff of the Ashram, she replied, "We cannot find out what is the intent with which people come here. But when people come here then irrespective of designation, they imbibe the spiritual values of Gandhi ji. People feel inspired by Gandhiji and his struggle."

As part of its campaign, AAP has been mentioning freedom fighters and their struggle for some time now. During the Punjab campaign freedom fighter Bhagat Singh's ideology and his heroic acts were repeatedly highlighted.

As Chief Minister, Mann took his oath in Bhagat Singh's ancestral village. AAP is reportedly taking up the issue of having a unique political identity.

A two-kilometre roadshow in Ahmedabad is being planned by Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Mann later today. The party is calling it Tiranga Yatra.