The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers will 'gherao' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case.
The Delhi police said it has not yet granted permission for the same. However, security has been beefed up at the PM's residence given the protest.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai had announced a four-day protest plan across the country to protest Kejriwal's arrest.
In view of the protest, traffic movement is likely to be affected in parts of New Delhi and Central Delhi due to the protest. "Robust security arrangements have been made. We have installed layers of security to maintain law and order in the area," the Delhi Police officer said. "Section 144 (of the CrPC) is already imposed around the prime minister's residence and no one will be allowed to protest," he added.
The Delhi Traffic Police has arranged seven diversion points for the smooth movement of vehicles. "Commuters must avoid Kemal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Akbar Road and Teen Murti Marg on Tuesday," an officer said.
#WATCH | Security heightened with the deployment of police outside Patel Chowk metro station, in view of AAP's PM residence 'gherao' protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in liquor policy case. pic.twitter.com/PFkdhqeaUc
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2024
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy on March 21. He is in the agency's custody till Thursday.
Meanwhile, the AAP workers will hold meetings at assembly constituencies on Tuesday to prepare for the mega rally planned on March 31. Zonal-level meetings with MLAs and councillors will be held on Wednesday and Thursday to target people from each booth to ensure they reach Ramlila Maidan on March 31.
"There are nearly 14,000 booths. With 10 people from each booth, the number of people reaching Ramlila Maidan will be 1.5 lakh," AAP national general secretary (organisation) and Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak told reporters last week.
The party leaders and workers on Monday changed the display pictures of their social media profiles with one that shows Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal behind bars to express solidarity with the party's national convener arrested in the excise policy scam case.
The display pictures showing Kejriwal behind bars have the caption "'Modi Ka Sabse Bada Dar Kejriwal' (Modi's biggest fear Kejriwal)". This is part of the social media campaign, asking people to support it for saving the constitution and democracy in the country.
