In this Thursday, March 28, 2024 file photo Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal leaves the Rouse Avenue Court where he was produced in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)Delhi News Highlights: The Delhi HC on Tuesday will pronounce its verdict on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and subsequent remand in the excise policy case. A single-judge bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma will pronounce the judgment. Justice Sharma had reserved the order on April 3 after hearing arguments by the CM and the central agency ED. The ED on Tuesday questioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar in the excise policy case. The agency has also summoned AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak on Monday in connection with the probe.
Meanwhile, hearing a plea seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi, the Delhi High Court on Monday remarked that the plea was filed for “publicity” and the petitioner deserved to have “heavy costs” imposed on him. Justice Subramonium Prasad made the observation while transferring the petition filed by former AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar to the court of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan where similar petitions were heard earlier.
In other news, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Monday is likely to respond to the Election Commission (EC) notice issued to her over her claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly approached her to join its ranks. The notice, issued on April 6, directed her to substantiate her claims and respond with a “para-wise response” before noon on April 8. The EC notice cited the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) provision against unverified allegations and its March 1 advisory to parties to refrain from making false statements during the campaign.
Delhi LG Secretariat writes to MHA
LG VK Saxena's Secretariat wrote to the Union Home Secretary appraising the MHA that, in the wake of CM, Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent events, he had decided to convene a meeting of key Ministers dealing with departments of Water, Education, Health, Transport Environment & Forest etc twice but they have not made themselves available for it. Delhi Cabinet Ministers have "shown lack of seriousness and insensitivity and declined to attend the meeting" with LG Saxena on "matters affecting the day-to-day lives of the citizens of Delhi in the aftermath of the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal" the letter from LG Secretariat to MHA reads.
2 men held at Delhi airport for 'nuclear bomb' threat
The Delhi Police has arrested two men at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for mentioning they were "carrying a nuclear bomb", officials said on Monday.
The incident happened on April 5 when Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, residents of Rajkot in Gujarat, objected to being frisked by the security staff before boarding an Ahmedabad-bound flight, the police said.
According to the FIR filed by an airline official, the duo asked the security staff "What will you do if I am carrying a nuclear bomb". Malani and Lalani were arrested as they posed a security threat to the aircraft and its passengers, a senior police official said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangani said the investigation has revealed that the accused are contractors in the construction sector. "They had travelled to Dwarka in Delhi to meet a business associate regarding a purchase. Following their arrests, they were released on bail and the investigation is ongoing," the DCP said. (PTI)
AAP to finalise star campaigners list by evening today
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will finalise its star campaigners list by Monday evening.
ED questions CM Kejriwal’s aide, summons MLA Durgesh Pathak in excise policy case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently questioning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar in excise policy case.
The agency has also summoned AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak on Monday in connection with the probe.
'Take a look at your electricity bill, which is zero, before going to cast your vote': AAP leader Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, addressing a gethering at the launch of the Lok Sabha campaign, said, 'My appeal to the people of Delhi is to remember the face of Kejriwal, take a look at your electricity bill which is zero before going to cast your vote.'
"Look at your child's face who now studies in air conditioned classrooms, visit the mohalla clinic which now provide free medicines and free tests, look at your mothers' and sisters' face who travels free safely in the full surveillance buses,' Singh said.
'If you've benefitted from any scheme of Delhi govt, then vote for Kejriwal': Gopal Rai
Delhi Minister Gopal Rai, addressing at the launch of the Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha campaign on Monday appealed to the people of Delhi to vote for Arvidn Kejriwal if they have benefitted from any scheme of the Delhi government.
'Like Delhi people removed BJP from MCD, Assembly, BJP will also be removed from Lok Sabha polls in Delhi on May 25. BJP is saying that it will impose president rule in Delhi, if Kejriwal does not resign. I appeal to all the people of Delhi, if you think that Kejriwal has done anything for you, you have benefitted from any scheme of Delhi Government, vote for Arvind Kejriwal,' he said.
'You don't have to step on roads and be scared of the BJP people. This is our democracy, you press the Jhaadu button and cast your vote for Kejriwal and make him win. Every single vote will help break the locks of Tihar and bring Kejriwal out,' Rai added.
'Delhi election campaign responsibility of people for whom Kejriwal has worked': Gopal Rai
Delhi Minister Gopal Rai, addressing at the launch of the Aam Aadmi Party's Lok Sabha campaign on Monday said, "Ever since Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested, there is a question in the minds of every person - How will the election campaign be conducted without Arvind Kejriwal?" The Delhi election campaign is now the responsibility of the people for whom Arvind Kejriwal has worked and cared for, he added.
"He [Kejriwal] never let the honour of the people of Delhi go down. BJP has put him in jail. Now we have to fight for his honour and respect. We will not let him and the work he has done for people to go down," Rai said.
"The polls in Delhi are now going to become a movement. It will not just be a campaigning but is going to be movement. Like we observed Satyagraha yesterday and gave BJP a tough reply with the strength in the Ramlila maidan on March 31. We are going to give them a reply with our votes. May 25 ko BJP ka jamanat jabt karvayenge BJP ko," Rai added.
'We all have to give 'jail ka jawab vote se'': AAP secretary Sandeep Pathak
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national general secretary Sandeep Pathak on Monday said, "AAP is launching a campaign from today - 'Jail ka jawab vote se'... All the party workers, MLAs and volunteers will reach each door step, corner, nukkad, street and across Delhi, and explain to the people of Delhi about how their CM has been arrested, the conspiracy and everything... You (people) will have to support Kejriwal and make him strong. We all have to give 'Jail ka jawab vote se.'"
Plea seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from CM's post filed for 'publicity': Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court on Monday remarked that a plea seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of chief minister was filed for "publicity" and the petitioner deserved to have "heavy costs" imposed on him, news agency PTI reported.
Justice Subramonium Prasad made the observation while transferring the petition filed by former AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar to the court of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan where similar petitions were heard earlier.
"This is just for publicity," Justice Prasad said, according to the news agency.
In his petition, Kumar has said that after Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case, the leader has incurred an "incapacity" to carry out the CM's functions under the Constitution. The plea said the AAP leader's "unavailability" complicates the constitutional mechanism and he can never function as the chief minister from prison according to the mandate of the Constitution. (PTI)
'BJP has put Kejriwal in custody to stop him from contesting polls,' alleges AAP national general secretary at LS campaign launch
Dr Sandeep Pathak, AAP national general secretary, addressing a gathering at the launch of the party's Lok Sabha campaign, said "BJP has put CM Arvind Kejriwal [in custody] to stop him from fighting the polls, stop him from campaigning for LS polls... Kejriwal has worked for Delhi and the people. He considered Delhiites as his family... No CM has earlier thought about the education of children coming from poor background but he worked so hard to give good education to all the children of Delhi, developed the health sector with free medicines, tests and new hospitals, and made electricity free."
"He provided water, free travel for women. Kerjiwal spent his life and has sacrificed a lot for the people of Delhi. But a huge conspiracy has been played against him and he has been put in jail. The entire country is asking what is going to happen? How will Delhi function without him, how will your schools get good education, health, water, electricity without him...we have to bring him back...it is in the hands of you 2 crores people of Delhi," Pathak said.
AAP launches Lok Sabha campaign with tagline, 'Jail ka jawab vote se'
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday launched its campaign for upcoming Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
The tagline for the campaign will be "Jail ka jawab vote se" with a picture of Arvind Kejriwal behind the bars.
Justice Subramonium Prasad transfers plea seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal as CM to Acting Chief Justice
While hearing the plea seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of the national capital, Delhi High Court Justice Subramonium Prasad sent the petition to the bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, after noting that the acting chief justice’s bench had dealt with similar matters earlier.
Sandeep Kumar’s petition is now listed on April 10.
'If you shut these companies, how did you then receive funds from them?': Sanjay Singh against PM Modi's allegations
'If you shut these companies, how did you then receive funds from them?,' Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations of shutting down corrupt companies.
Singh also asserted, 'CBI and ED should expose the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).'
'BJP changed rules to play the game of electoral bonds': Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, addressing a press conference on Monday alleged, "BJP changed the rules to play this game of electoral bonds... If there is a party which is the worst of all in this country, then it is the BJP."
"There should be a detailed investigation [into the electoral bond scam], if it does not happen, we will take the next steps," Singh added.
K Kavitha’s bail plea: Does PMLA’s bail concession for women also apply to ‘women with agency’?
Do the stringent bail provisions in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) contain an exception for women? A Delhi court is set to decide Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha’s plea for bail on this ground in the Delhi excise scam case.
Section 45 provides for bail on money laundering charges. This provision in the law, like the stringent bail standard in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), puts the onus on the accused to prove that there is no prima facie case against them while seeking bail.
What is the bail provision in PMLA? What is the legal precedent? We explain.
Watch | AAP leader Sanjay Singh shares details of companies contributing electoral bonds to BJP
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, addressing a press conference on Monday, shared the details of companies which have contributed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the form of electoral bonds.
2 business contractors booked by Delhi Police for allegedly threat of carrying nuclear bomb
Two business contractors from Rajkot were booked by the Delhi Police IGI unit for allegedly threatening of carrying a nuclear bomb after they were not satisfied with the security protocol of frisking at the airport.
AAP to launch Lok Sabha campaign at 12 pm today
The Aam Aadmi Party is set to launch its Lok sabha campaign at 12 pm on Monday.
Delhi court denies interim bail to BRS legislator K Kavitha in excise policy case
A Delhi court on Monday denied interim bail to BRS legislator K Kavitha, who is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in return for liquor licences in the Capital.
Delhi HC to hear plea to dislodge CM Kejriwal from holding office while in custody
The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear a third petition, calling upon Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to show by what authority, qualification, and title he holds the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi.
It seeks that after an inquiry, Kejriwal be dislodged from the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi with or without the retrospective effect.
The matter will be heard by Justice Subramonium Prasad. The petition has been moved by Sandeep Kumar, a former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Delhi and a former Cabinet Minister of the Government of Delhi (in the Council of Ministers) led by Kejriwal. He claims to be a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party.
AAP’s Atishi likely to respond to EC notice over her remarks against BJP
Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Monday is likely to respond to the Election Commission (EC) notice issued to her over her claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly approached her to join its ranks.
The notice, issued on April 6, directed her to substantiate her claims and respond with a “para-wise response” before noon on April 8.
The EC notice cited the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) provision against unverified allegations and its March 1 advisory to parties to refrain from making false statements during the campaign.
10-member delegation of AITC to meet full bench of ED today
A ten-member delegation of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) departed from Kolkata airport for Delhi to meet the full bench of the Election Commission on Monday, news agency ANI reported.
Indians living in 13 countries took part in fast to protest against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: AAP
Indians living abroad in 13 countries participated in the fast held by the Aam Aadmi Party to protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, the party said.
In a statement, the AAP said people at Harvard Square in Boston, Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, Lake Elizabeth in San Francisco, Times Square in New York, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Dallas, Brampton City Hall in Toronto and outside the Indian Embassy in Washington DC joined the fast, it said.
Indians in Holland Park in downtown Vancouver; Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, Parliament Square in London, UK; O'Cannell Street Upper in Dublin, Ireland; Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany and the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo, also observed mass fast as per local time, it added.
The party said Indians living in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway, Ireland and other countries "raised their voice against the dictatorship" and shared photos of the protest fast held by them on the party's WhatsApp number.
Himachal Pradesh: AAP leaders observe daylong fast against Kejriwal's arrest
AAP leaders observed a daylong fast near the deputy commissioner's office and at several other places in Himachal Pradesh to protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the ED.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Surjit Singh Thakur said the entire country stands with Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for Delhi. "This is not only the murder of democracy but also the murder of the Constitution," Thakur said.
He alleged that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is coercing opposition leaders into joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) either by threatening them or by using agencies, such as the ED, against them.
Goa AAP protests in Panaji against Kejriwal's arrest
The Aam Aadmi Party held a hunger strike in Panaji in Goa against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a excise policy-linked money laundering case recently. The protest, which began at 9 am at Azad Maidan, was also attended by AAP's partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), including the Congress.
"The BJP has killed democracy by targeting opposition leaders through the CBI, ED etc. Voters are observing and they will surely vote for the INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha polls," Goa AAP chief Amit Palekar told reporters.
AAP workers observe fast in Jammu to protest Kejriwal's arrest
Dozens of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers observed a day-long fast here in protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister the party's convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
The protest was staged at a park in posh Gandhi Nagar area of the city with participants accusing the BJP of framing Kejriwal in a “false case” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. “We have assembled here as part of the worldwide protest against the arrest of a sitting chief minister in a fabricated case at the behest of the ruling BJP. The protest is not only happening in India but outside the country to seek his immediate release,” spokesperson of the J&K unit of AAP Nirmal Mahna said.
AAP leaders, workers observe fast in Kurukshetra to protest Kejriwal's arrest
Haryana AAP chief Sushil Gupta, along with party leaders and workers of the state unit, gathered in Haryana's Kurukshetra for a day-long fast to protest the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
On the occasion, Gupta targeted the ruling BJP at the Centre and alleged that "it is adopting a dictatorial attitude". "The BJP is killing democracy... Honest people are being put in jail," he said, adding neither Kejriwal nor the AAP workers are afraid of the "tactics" adopted by the ruling party.
Slogan of 'jail ka jawaab vote se' should echo across the country: Atishi
"We worry thinking about the health of our leaders in jail. But we will not get sad and sit, we will fight for our leaders", said Atishi.
"In today's date, we all fear, but we shouldn't bow down we all have to stand tall together. They detained us when we sat on protest at ITO but our workers, did not leave the site... our workers stood firm against the arrest of Kejriwal and BJP. They know, the BJP knows, they are scared because of our strength... we have to fight against BJP's corruption. "Jail ka jawab, vote se," this slogan should echo across the country," she said.
Constitution is in danger today: Bhagwant Mann at Khatkar Kalan village
Bhagwant Mann also participated in 'Upwas Diwas' to protest the Delhi CM's arrest in Punjab and said, “The Constitution is in danger today. They (BJP) jail whoever they want, the voice of the opposition is being oppressed. If they trust themselves then why are they putting opposition leaders behind bars? They are scared that AAP will pose a challenge to them in the coming times.”
People picked him (Kejriwal) as CM 3 times... BJP threatened by this: SC ST activist
Uday Goel, an ST SC activist said that he’s not fasting and is not in support of any political party but he is staunch opposition of Kejriwal’s arrest. “People had selected him as their CM three times, they (BJP) was threatened by this…had the congress behaved like this in the last 70 years then Amit Shah and Modi wouldn’t have existed today," said Goel.
AAP workers congregate in Jharkhand, UP, Haryana and Gujarat to protest Kejriwal's arrest
AAP workers and people from Jharkhand, UP, Gujarat and Haryana also came together for the mass fast against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
Supporters of AAP hold community fasting in Boston, Vancouver, Melbourne among others
AAP leaders are saying that the protest is not only happening across the country but also people and AAP supporters are holding this community fasting in Boston, Vancouver, Melbourne, Texas, Times square and other countries.
Maharashtra AAP leaders hold one-day fast to protest against Kejriwal's arrest
The Aam Aadmi Party workers and leaders held a day-long fast here on Sunday as a mark of protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP's national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
The AAP members gathered at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai to mark their protest.
In Pune and other cities Maharashtra also, the AAP workers staged the day-long protest at public places.
In cities like Pune, some leaders of the opposition Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) also joined the AAP's protest.
Similar protests were being held in other states as well as by Indians abroad, including at Harvard Square in Boston, the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, outside the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, in New York Times Square and Toronto, London and Melbourne among others, party leaders said. -- PTI
Punjab CM, AAP leaders hold fast to protest Kejriwal's arrest at Khatkar Kalan
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several AAP ministers and MLAs gathered at Khatkar Kalan in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district for a day-long fast to protest the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Khatkar Kalan is the ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Ministers Bram Shanker Jimpa, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Anmol Gagan Mann, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, AAP candidate from Anandpur Sahib seat Malvinder Singh Kang, party candidate from Fatehgarh Sahib Gurpreet Singh GP and AAP's state unit working president Bhudh Ram were present at the venue. -- PTI
Supporters of democracy across the world are on a day-long hunger strike: Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said, "The supporters of democracy all over the world are on a day-long hunger strike... This battle has now started with those who buy the MLAs of the elected governments and bring down their governments... We can protect the constitution of India... They wanted to break AAP, but we became stronger."
AAP to continue fast till 5 pm
The party will continue the fast till 5 pm.
If BJP wins, every village will have graveyards: Sanjay Singh
"If the BJP wins, every village will have graveyards...but if Arvind Kejriwal wins, there will be schools, colleges, hospitals, buses will come, free travel, women will get financial support," said Sanjay Singh.
The leader also introduced AAP's LS candidates: Mahabal Mishra, Kuldeep Kumar, Sahi Ram and Somnath Bharti.
'BJP topples Oppn governments by arresting their CMs': Sanjay Singh
"Kargil war hero's wife was paraded naked... Ajay Mishra's son mowed down 4 people... and you don't ask their state CMs to resign but demand the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to resign from his post. He worked for the people, provided education, health and free electricity... So, you all know now which is the most corrupt party. This corrupted party topples the government in all the states where opposition is in power, by arresting their CMs," says Sanjay Singh.
'Jail ke taale tootenge, Kejriwal chootenge': Crowd chants slogas at Jantar Mantar
Sanjay Singh raised slogans, and chanted "jail ke taale tootenge aur saare neta bahar aayenge.... Kejriwal Zindabad...humare saathi zindabad...ladenge aur jeetenge."
'BJP wants all Oppn CMs to resign': Sanjay Singh
Sanjay Singh addressed the gathering and said, 'They want all the opposition party CMs to resign... because they think that they can rule by arresting Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, West Bengal CM Mamata didi...we are not going to let them loot Delhi. LG Vinai Kumar Saxena said that CM cannot run the government from jail... Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Kishan Advani, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Amit Shah were in jail and they didn't get bail for months. Amit Shah was even out of Gujarat for two years and I don't want to tell why...you all know... Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who we all respect, was in jail for 19 months."
'PM Modi's guarantee is to include corrupt people in his party': Sanjay Singh
'They are not going to get 400 seats...If a person is raising slogans of 400 paar...will he arrest a sitting CM? Will they freeze the account of the Congress party? No party which is that confident of getting 400 seats in the LS polls, will do such things... It is very clear, Modi ji is losing the polls, he is scared,' said Sanjay Singh.
He added, 'So, Modi Ji's guarantee is to include corrupt people in his party... this is his guarantee. When the country's most corrupted party talks about corruption, then it sounds like Osama bin Laden is speaking about peace."
'Our fast will not break till 5 pm, people need Kejriwal': AAP worker
“Today all the people who support arvind Kejriwal are people who belong to common families which kejriwal has worked for…the BJP only works for the rich and the powerful… with all our might we have kept a fast today which we will not break till 5 pm because the people need a leader like Arvind Kejriwal,” said Raj Kumar Taunk, cement trader from Karawal Nagar and AAP karyakarta.
'BJP is the most corrupt party in the country': Sanjay Singh
"If there is any corrupt party in this country-- that is BJP. Bangaru Laxman Party...most corrupted," said Sanjay Singh.
He added, "They say, CM Arvind Kejriwal resign... why should he resign? He is and will always be our CM. He is that person who left his IRS job, sat in protest.. he is that person who protested for 15 days to give relief and electricity to the people of Delhi... he is that person who fought for the people of Delhi, he provided education, health, water and electricity."
LG should start a probe against BJP's liquor scam: Sanjay Singh
Sanjay Singh hit out at the BJP and said, "ED, CBI and Income tax...all are saying Liquor scam, Liquor scam...but who committed the real liquor scam. BJP. I want to tell LG sir, if you believe in the constitution and respect your position, write a letter to start an investigation against BJP's liquor scam. BJP took Rs 55 crore money and this should investigated."
Sharath Reddy the kingpin of this case, but got bail after he took Kejriwal's name: Sanjay Singh
Speaking at the protest, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "50000 pages and 456 witnesses are placed by ED. Did you know, they took Arvind Kejriwal 's name only 4 times. And you know who these witnesses are."
"Magunta Reddy-- First time he said no and Kejriwal did not do anything, how come we can take his name. He was asked and forced 7 times. And when he was pressurized that if you don't take his name, you will be and rot in jail. He then agreed and then Kejriwal was arrested and the Magunta was released on bail," he added.
He went on, "Sharath Reddy was forced too and he did not take his name. But the tenth time he agreed. He is the kingpin of this case but he gets bail on the grounds of back pain. But Manish Sisodia 's wife is sick for the last 20 years and he did not get bail."
Video | Singing of bhajans, photos of Kejriwal behind bars at Jantar Mantar
AAP leader Sanjay Singh joins leaders fasting on stage
AAP's Sanjay Singh has joined the leaders fasting on stage.
‘Back then it was against Gandhi’s arrest, today against Kejriwal’s’, AAP kicks off countrywide protest
“Bapu kept nearly 18 fasts, his longest upwas lasted 21 days, not just once but he kept 21-day long fasts thrice…he used to say that he keeps these fasts to fight for what’s right, infact one of these fasts was against his own arrest by the British government,” the moderator of the program, Dilip Pandey, announces.
“Back then it was the British government that people were fasting against, today it’s the BJP government…tab Baapu ki bebunyaad giraftaari hui thi aaj arvind ji ki bebunyaad giraftaari hui hai,” he said.
Senior leaders urge people to keep hydrated during fast
The leaders have announced that the upwas is not without water, and are urging people to keep hydrated.
Senior AAP leaders reach Jantar Manter, observe 'Samuhik upwas'
AAP senior leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Ram Niwas Goel, Rakhi Birla, Pankaj Gupta and others have reached Jantar Mantar and are sitting on the stage observing "Samuhik upwas".
Why has the BJP not been raided or accused?: Atishi
"People of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal. They don't think of him as a CM but as their son, or brother. All people want the bail for Arvind Kejriwal. BJP's ED and CBI haven't been able to show a single penny of liquor scam from the leaders of AAP. If there is any money trail in this issue, it's from liquor trader Sharat Reddy to the BJP. Why has the BJP not been raided, or accused, and why has the BJP's National President not been summoned or arrested?," says Atishi ahead of the mass fast.
Nitish Kumar’s exit setback, INDIA bloc needs common agenda, says AAP’s Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Delhi excise case, Saturday said the departure of Nitish Kumar from the INDIA bloc was a major setback, adding that history would not judge him kindly. In an interview with The Indian Express, he also said the Opposition alliance must prepare a common minimum programme ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Singh was a key member in alliance discussions before his arrest in October last year. At that time the Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar Chief Minister was a vocal anti-BJP leader.
Asked what the biggest setback faced by the INDIA bloc so far was, Singh said: “Nitish Kumar ji’s departure was completely unexpected. He was going from one place to another to bring opposition parties together and he then joined NDA. Switching positions in this manner impacts your image. You may be able to get power and some benefits in the short term, I don’t deny that. But if you switch sides over and over again, history will not judge you kindly. You can be remembered either as a coward or as courageous.” Continue reading
AAP’s countrywide fast today to protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest
The AAP has given a call for mass fast in a “collective act of solidarity” against the arrest of party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP Delhi Convener Gopal Rai said the protest will include a congregation at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in Punjab, where AAP MLAs, ministers, MPs, councillors, will unite and abstain from food. In Punjab, CM Bhagwant Mann will sit on this protest fast along with the AAP MLAs and volunteers.
“Simultaneously, in 25 states across India and key international hubs including New York, Boston, Toronto, Washington DC, Melbourne, and London, supporters will extend their support to Kejriwal through community fasting,” Rai announced.