INDIA bloc to hold rally against Kejriwal’s arrest
Opposition parties to stage a ‘maha rally’ to safeguard the country’s interests at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on March 31; top leaders to participate; Delhi Chief Minister issues work order from jail
Rallying behind the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Opposition INDIA bloc will hold a public event at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 31 to protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case.
The rally is to “safeguard the country’s interests and democracy”, the Delhi leadership of the AAP and the Congress announced at a joint press conference in the national capital on Sunday.
“We will hold a ‘maha rally’ at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 against what is happening in the country. The top leadership of the INDIA bloc will participate in the event,” said Gopal Rai, the AAP’s Delhi convener, who shared the stage with Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, as well as Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely and other senior leaders.
“The bank accounts of the oldest party of the country were sealed so that they could not even campaign for the Lok Sabha elections,” Mr. Rai said, referring to the Income Tax Department’s action against the Congress.
The AAP has also alleged that its headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and Mr. Kejriwal’s residence were all blockaded by the Delhi Police. “They turned Delhi into a fortress. Elected MLAs and Ministers were detained when they were protesting. Kejriwal’s family was placed under house arrest. They sealed our party office. Yesterday [Saturday], at Shaheedi Park, they behaved with us as if we were criminals,” Mr. Rai said.
Clear intent
Mr. Kejriwal on Sunday issued his first order after being in judicial custody, showing his intent to stay on as Chief Minister despite the arrest. He directed his government to make arrangements for water tankers to cope with the summer shortages in the city.
The AAP and the other Opposition parties have questioned the ED’s action against Mr. Kejriwal, claiming that no money trail has been found in the excise policy case despite a twoyearlong investigation. “However, a ₹60 crore money trail has been found. They arrested Sarath Reddy [director of Aurobindo Pharma] in the excise policy case but he was released on the condition that he give a statement against Kejriwal and donate ₹60 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds,” Mr. Rai said.
Mr. Reddy was arrested by the Central agency last November in connection with the excise policy case. Recent data released by the State Bank of India (SBI) shows that Aurobindo Pharma had donated ₹60 crore to the BJP via electoral bonds. No comments were available from Mr. Reddy or Aurobindo Pharma regarding the AAP’s charges. There was no immediate reaction to the allegations from the BJP either.
Governing from jail
Giving a glimpse into how the Delhi government plans to function with its Chief Minister in judicial custody, Water Minister Atishi read out the first order sent to her from Mr. Kejriwal instructing her to solve water and sewerrelated problems in some areas of the city.
“I might be in jail, but people of Delhi shouldn’t be inconvenienced…,” Mr. Kejriwal said, in the message that Ms. Atishi read out. The Minister claimed that, even in confinement, the CM was committed to serving Delhiites, and had asked her to issue strict directions to the Chief Secretary and Delhi Jal Board officials to prevent public inconvenience during the upcoming summer months.
“I have come to know that there are significant water and sewer problems in some areas of Delhi. I might be in jail, but the people of Delhi shouldn’t be inconvenienced; make adequate arrangements for water tankers so that there is no shortage during summer. If necessary, seek the cooperation of the Lieutenant Governor as well. He will surely assist you,” read the message.