India’s anti-BJP coalition ‘India’ has announced a mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to protest the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the case of excise policy. Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday has inspired opposition parties to come together. Even Delhi Congress leaders, who were bitter rivals of the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) leader, have now joined the movement against his arrest.
In a joint press conference this afternoon, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that the manner in which Kejriwal was arrested has fueled public anger. The prime minister is using investigative agencies to intimidate politicians and eliminate opposition. Be it Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren or Bihar’s Tejashwi Yadav, false cases are being made against all.
Rai said Delhi has been turned into a fortress to prevent protests by AAP leaders. Arvind Kejriwal’s family has been placed under house arrest. AAP’s headquarters were sealed yesterday even as we prepare for the elections. Congress accounts have been frozen. India’s oldest party can’t even run an election campaign now.
Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely also taunted the BJP and said, “Is this democracy?” There is no playing field for us.
You are arresting elected Chief Ministers, confiscating accounts of India’s oldest political party. Our leader Rahul Gandhi fought to save democracy. Congress will not back down now.
CPM leader Rajeev Kunwar said leaders of all alliances in India will come together on March 31. We will not tolerate attacks on democracy.
Rai said they would seek permission from local authorities for the rally. If permission is not given, it will be worrying for democracy, said the Delhi minister. The Delhi Congress chief said that they were hopeful that the authorities would allow them to hold the rally.
