Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a rally held at Ramlila Maidan, strongly criticized the recent ordinance passed by the Centre, which grants significant control to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) and undermines the elected government’s authority. Kejriwal warned that the ordinance, currently applicable to Delhi, could be extended to other states governed by opposition parties, posing a threat to democracy across the country.
Addressing a crowd gathered at the historic venue where the Aam Aadmi Party was founded, Kejriwal denounced the ordinance, labeling it a declaration of dictatorship. He expressed concerns that the central government’s move to curtail the powers of elected governments would extend beyond Delhi to states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. Kejriwal drew parallels between the Prime Minister and a dictator, asserting that the ordinance would cripple the functioning of elected governments.
The rally aimed to garner support from non-BJP ruled states to counter the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha. However, the BJP and its allies hold a majority in the upper house, making it a challenging endeavor. Among the notable attendees were Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP MPs Sanjay Singh, Sandeep Pathak, and Sushil Gupta, as well as several MLAs and former Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who participated as a constitutional expert.
Highlighting the ongoing clashes between the Delhi government and central officers, Kejriwal accused the Modi government of impeding progress in Delhi. He lamented the interference in the implementation of education and healthcare initiatives, such as mohalla clinics and free medicines in government hospitals. Kejriwal also criticized the rising inflation, increasing fuel prices, and the discontinuation of Rs 2,000 notes, emphasizing the need for a wiser Prime Minister to address unemployment and corruption effectively.
Kapil Sibal, addressing the crowd, expressed concerns about the Modi government’s actions, warning of the potential demise of India’s democracy. He criticized the government’s “double-barrel” approach, utilizing the CBI and the ED, and questioned the need for conducting elections if the central government desired full control over Delhi.
Kejriwal and Sibal called upon the Supreme Court to nullify the ordinance and safeguard the principles of democracy. They emphasized that the people were disillusioned with the BJP and its policies, as they had failed to bring about positive change.