The Aam Aadmi Party began its day-long 'samuhik upwas' (collective fast) on Sunday morning to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and the party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While AAP ministers, including Atishi, gathered at Jantar Mantar for the fast, protests were being held in other states too.
AAP leaders, including Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Deputy Speaker Rakhi Bila, ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain attended the day-long 'Samuhik Upwas' at Jantar Mantar in the national capital from 11 am.
Atishi, who arrived at the Jantar Mantar, told reporters that the people of Delhi wanted Kejriwal's release. "People of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal. They don't think of him as a chief minister but as their son, or brother. They want Kejriwal to be out on bail," she said.
The minister said both ED and CBI haven't been able to show any proof of corruption in the Delhi excise policy scam. "If there is a money trail in this issue, it's from liquor trader Sharat Reddy to the BJP. Why have the BJP leaders not been raided, or accused?" she asked.
Party leader Dr Sandeep Pathak said the AAP will initiate many such campaigns in the future. "Today's call is for those who are supporters who think democracy is endangered. We appeal to them to fast in their way. In the coming days, we will take forward many campaigns along with INDIA bloc," Pathak said.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann joined a collective fast at freedom fighter Bhagat Singh's village Khatkar Kalan. He paid tributes to the freedom fighter before embarking on the fast.
Protests were being held by Indians abroad too, 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.
#WATCH | Delhi: BJP cadres and Delhi party president Virendraa Sachdeva hold ‘Sharab se sheesh mahal’ campaign against AAP. pic.twitter.com/wc62e0YpBq
— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2024
Meanwhile, the Delhi unit of the BJP countered the fast by holding a 'Sharab sheesh mahal’ campaign. BJP Delhi president Virendraa Sachdeva told reporters that the campaign aimed at "unveiling the corruption model of Kejriwal."
"People of Delhi can see Red Fort, Qutb Minar, Akshardham temple, Lotus Temple, Kartavya Path, but cannot see the CM's corruption as they cannot go inside Kejriwal's Raj Mahal. The story of 'Sharab to Sheesh' is about the Delhi government's corruption and Arvind Kejriwal is guilty," he added.
