Several leaders of the INDIA bloc have come out in support of Arvind Kejriwal and accused the BJP and the Union government of arm-twisting the opposition…reports Asian Lite News
INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc will hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to “save democracy” in India, Congress Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said on Sunday.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by the Congress and AAP, allies in the INDIA bloc.
This comes days after the Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier in the week on charges of corruption in the Delhi excise policy case, which was later scrapped.
Prominent leaders of the anti-BJP front are scheduled to attend the rally to “save the democracy of India,” Singh said.
“On March 31, INDIA India Alliance will hold a big rally in Delhi, and prominent leaders of the Alliance will address the rally, which won’t be just a political rally; it will be a call for the fight to save the democracy of India…,” Singh said.
Senior Aam Admi Party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai appealed to people in Delhi “to join them on that day.”
“To protest against what has been the killing of democracy, the INDIA alliance will hold a rally on March 31 at 10 am in Ramlila Maidan. We appeal to all the people from Delhi and the entire country, party workers, trader associations, and NGOs, to join us that day,” the AAP leader said.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in formulating and implementing the Delhi excise policy 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
Several leaders of the INDIA bloc have come out in support of Arvind Kejriwal and accused the BJP and the Union government of arm-twisting the opposition.
However, the BJP has denied all the allegations.
INDIA bloc is a coalition of over 20 opposition parties formed last year to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the general elections, dates for which were announced earlier in the month.
However, the exit of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was at the forefront of the alliance, dealt a blow to the bloc, which, as of now, is struggling to finalise the seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha elections.
Voting would be held in seven phases for the 543 parliamentary constituencies, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.
BJP intensifies attack
Bharatiya Janata Party Delhi unit workers on Sunday burned the “Holika” (effigy) of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in ED custody in connection with the liquor scam.
BJP workers also chanted slogans against the AAP government and demanded Kejriwal’s resignation at the earliest
The demonstration was led by BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal, who, was present with a large number of supporters at Santnagar Chowk, Ranibagh in Delhi.
Khandelwal said that BJP workers will continue to protest until Kejriwal resigns from the post. “Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is continuously violating the law. Law is the same for all. ED sent him nine summons even after that he did not consider it necessary to go answer questions. Today, we have gathered here because, after the allegations against Kejriwal, he should resign. Delhi BJP has decided that we will leave no stone unturned to oust Kejriwal until he resigns,” he said.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21, hours after the Delhi High Court rejected his petition seeking to restrain the central probe agency from taking any coercive action against him.
The arrest came hours after the Delhi HC rejected his petition seeking to restrain the central probe agency from taking any coercive action against him.
The case in question pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy in 2021-22. The policy was later scrapped in the face of allegations of irregularities.
Kejriwal, on Saturday, moved the Delhi High Court, challenging his arrest and the order of remand to the ED granted by the trial court on March 22.
The ED, which was given the custody of Delhi CM till March 28 by the lower court, alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) was the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.
Two AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial custody in the excise policy case. (ANI)
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