It was a day of dramatic developments as protests and counter-protests rocked the Delhi assembly, as the House met for the first time after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21. It was the first time, since the formation of the assembly in 1952, that the chief minister was lodged behind bars in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate.
The AAP ministers and MLAs, including Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Dilip Pandey, Durgesh Pathak and others, were clad in bright yellow T-shirts with the logo ‘Modi’s biggest fear is Kejriwal’ and a message – ‘Main bhi Kejriwal’ – in the back. In another statement-making move, AAP MLA Praveen Kumar walked into the assembly clad in chains. All marched to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and, from there, AAP leaders walked to the gate of the assembly and burned the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the release of their leader.
Pathak said the chief minister had given them directions after he got information that medicines were not available at a number of mohalla clinics and hospitals. He said people were facing sewerage and water issues and Kejriwal has given directions to reach out to officers and get the work done so that the people of Delhi do not suffer. This special session has been called so that these issues can be discussed and appropriate directions can be issued along with timelines, he added.
Asked how the CM was issuing directions while in ED custody, even as the BJP has filed a complaint before the lieutenant-governor, AAP MLA Dilip Pandey said: “The BJP is really disturbed. Once they got him arrested through a political conspiracy, the BJP believed that the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal were finished. They made a big mistake here. Today, thousands of people in Delhi, particularly those who have benefited from Kejriwal’s policies, are pouring out onto the streets and opposing the ‘tanashahi’ and ‘goondagardi’ of the BJP. As far as the chief minister’s directions are concerned, the BJP is making such a noise about nothing. Kejriwal has the mandate of the people. Whether he remains inside jail or outside, he has said his life is committed to the country. His convictions are unshakable.”
When the House finally convened, AAP MLAs marched to the well of the House raising “anti-Modi” slogans forcing speaker Ram Niwas Goel to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. They used this break for sloganeering, putting on masks with Kejriwal’s face.
When the House met again, BJP MLAs were carrying placards demanding the resignation of the CM. They, too, rushed into the well of the House even as the sloganeering from both sides forced Goel to adjourn the House till 11 am on March 31.
In the meantime, Kejriwal’s wife gave her second televised press statement. Using the same backdrop that the CM would use to address the press, Sunita Kejriwal said despite multiple raids on the premises of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendar Jain over two years, the ED had failed to recover any money.
“From our house, a meagre Rs 73,000 was recovered and in the so-called liqour scam, the ED has raided more than 250 locations during its investigation into the money trail. Until now, they have failed to recover even one rupee. They raided Manish ji, Sanjay Singh ji, Satyendar Jain ji but could not recover even one rupee. They raided us and found only Rs 73,000. So, where is the money in this so-called liquor scam? Arvind ji has said he will expose this on March 28 in front of the court. He will tell the country truthfully where the money of this so-called liqour scam is,” she said.
Also a former IRS officer like her husband, Sunita said Kejriwal will “expose” the money trail in court on Thursday (March 28). His remand will end and it is widely believed that the ED will ask for more custody days.
Sunita further disclosed that a case has been registered against the CM for issuing “orders” to Atishi while in custody and asked if the central government wanted the people of Delhi to suffer. On Tuesday (March 26), BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa had officially complained to the lieutenant governor and ED director, alleging that this particular order was fraudulently written and the CM had no leave from the court to issue orders.
‘The government will not run from jail’
While the AAP has stuck to its position of Kejriwal continuing in office even while in custody, the L-G made a big statement to a private news channel – ‘The government will not run from jail’. Breaking his silence over the turbulent political situation in the national capital, Vinai Saxena gave an indication of what may be in store for the AAP government, if indeed Kejriwal does not budge from his position.
Article 239AB ‘Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery’ states:
“If the president, on receipt of a report by the lieutenant governor or otherwise is satisfied (a) that a situation has arisen in which the administration of the national capital territory of Delhi cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 239AA or of any law made in pursuance of that Article or (b) that for a proper administration of the national capital territory it is necessary or expedient to do so, the president may by order, suspend the operation of any provision of Article 239AA or of all or any of the provisions of any law made in pursuance of that article for such period and subject to such conditions as may be specified in such law and make such incidental and consequential provisions as may appear to him to be necessary or expedient for administering the National Capital Territory in accordance to the provisions of Article 239 and 239AA.”
In other words, the President’s Rule hangs like a shadow over Delhi and the AAP.
‘Kejriwal’s health deteriorating in ED custody’
Meanwhile, AAP sources said the health of the CM has deteriorated while in ED custody. A diabetic, he is dependent on insulin shots thrice a day to keep sugar levels stable.
Sources further said his sugar levels have plunged to 48, sparking concern among family members and supporters. Doctors are attending to the CM and he is under constant CCTV surveillance, they added.
The BJP, which also took to the streets, keeping up its pressure on the AAP, demanded Kejriwal’s resignation. “We want that Kejriwal ji should understand morality and resign. However, he is stubborn about making his wife the chief minister. This fight is an internal fight of the AAP. However, the people of Delhi are astonished and depressed by the fact that even upon arrest, upon being awarded remand by the court, the CM is not resigning. There is a question mark over his morality. He has broken the record of Lalu Prasad Yadav and wants to make another Rabri Devi the chief minister.”
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