'Will remove dictator': Arvind Kejriwal targets Modi govt during AAP's 'maha rally' over ordinance row

Delhi ordinance row: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a 'maha rally' today at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital against the Centre's ordinance on control of services. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the rally. Kejriwal targeted the Modi government and said that "Today, we gathered to oust a dictator from the country." Kejriwal said that this movement to save democracy in India will soon become successful. 

Kejriwal thanked former Congress leader Kapil Sibal for attending the 'Maha Rally'.

Gathered to oust a dictator from country

"12 years ago, we gathered here against corruption. This is a sacred stage. Today, we have gathered to oust a dictator from the country. At that time, our movement was successful. This is a movement to end dictatorship, to bring back democracy."  The AAP convenor said that the Ordinance is sheer disrespect of the people of Delhi. Kejriwal further said that the BJP insult and abuse him every day.

BJP to bring similar ordinance in other states: Kejriwal

The Delhi CM said that he has been told that such an Ordinance will be brought by the Centre for other states as well. "They (the people of the country) will fight to protect your rights. Don't think that this is happening to only Delhi. They are planning to bring a similar ordinance for the rest of the country as well. An ordinance like Delhi which is like the declaration of dictatorship. People's power has been taken away. It will be brought in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh," said Delhi CM.

'BJP wants that bureaucrats run Delhi...'

Former Congress leader Kapil Sibal hits out at the BJP-led central government at AAP's 'Maha Rally', accusing the Centre of misusing the central agencies. "This is not a double-engine government, this is a double-barrel government - one barrel is ED and the second barrel is CBI," said Sibal. He further said that BJP wants that the bureaucrats run Delhi and the CM left with no powers. "What kind of a joke is this?" said former Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Centre's Ordinance.

"My purpose in the coming days will be to go to different places and tell people that the time has come, we need to unite and fight against PM Modi...," said Sibal.

'Rally to save the democracy in India'

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who was also at the rally said the BJP doesn't want any other party to form government in any state. "This is a rally to save the democracy in India," he added.

'Modi will become Narendra Putin, if...'

He said PM Narendra Modi will become Narendra Putin if the Bharatiya Janata Party wins the 2024 election. “If BJP wins elections in 2024 then there will be no elections. Narendra Modi will become Narendra Putin if BJP wins the 2024 polls,” said Mann.

The Centre issued an ordinance on May 19 to set up a panel known as the National Capital Service Authority (NCCSA) and reclaim executive control over service-related matters. The ordinance was issued to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. 

AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta had said that they are expecting one lakh people to join the rally, adding the party has carried out extensive campaigns to inform the masses about the ordinance and its impact on their daily life. "We have done extensive campaigning, reached out to people and explained them about the ordinance and how it will impact their day-to-day lives," Gupta told the news agency PTI.

Inviting people to attend the rally for the sake of the Constitution, the AAP convenor accused the Centre of “snatching the rights” of not only the people of Delhi, but also attacking democracy through it. “Tomorrow the people of Delhi will unite at Ramlila Maidan against the dictatorial ordinance of the central government which has snatched the rights of the people of Delhi. You must also come to this mega rally being organised to save the Constitution and democracy,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

Security beefed up in Delhi

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around Ramlila Maidan in the national capital. A senior police officer said around 12 companies of paramilitary forces, along with the local police, will be deployed at the venue. He said surveillance through CCTV was conducted.

Metal detectors have been installed at the entry gates of the ground. Those entering the rally venue were frisked. Senior officials from the district were present at the spot, the officer said.

Arrangements have also been put in place by Delhi Traffic Police to regulate vehicular movement as a large number of people are expected to attend the rally. Fire tenders and ambulances were also deployed there, police said.

Traffic advisory

The traffic police has issued an advisory mentioning Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Marg, Mir Dard Chowk, Ajmeri Gate, JLN Marg, Bhavbhuti Marg, Minto Road, Delhi Gate, round about Kamla Market to Hamdard Chowk and round about Paharganj Chowk as diversion points.

The traffic restrictions/regulation/diversion may be imposed on Ranjeet Singh flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, from Minto Road to round about Kamla Market, Vivekanand Marg, JLN Marg (Delhi Gate to Guru Nank Chowk), Chaman Lal Marg etc from 8 am on Sunday, the advisory said.

People are advised to avoid these roads/stretches. Commuters going to railway stations and ISBT should leave with sufficient time at hand. People should avail public transport to help decongestion of roads and vehicles should be parked only at designated parking lots, it stated. In case any unsual/unidentified object or person is noticed in suspicious circumstances, information should be given to the police, the advisory added.

AAP sought support of all non-BJP parties

AAP has sought the support of all non-BJP parties in defeating in Rajya Sabha a Bill to replace the Centre's ordinance on Delhi's Services matter, saying this is a "time for agni pariksha" for Opposition parties, and they should come together if they want to save the country's democracy and Constitution. 

Kejriwal has met with non-BJP CMs and leaders — including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar over the past month to gather support against the ordinance in Rajya Sabha.

What is the centre's ordinance?

The ordinance was issued on May 19, days after a Supreme Court verdict gave the Delhi government control over bureaucrats assigned to departments under its purview. The BJP-ruled Centre has brought an ordinance notifying rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the ‘transfer-posting, vigilance and other incidental matters' in Delhi.

According to the ordinance, the Centre has constituted a ‘National Capital Civil Services Authority’ in Delhi. This comprises of Delhi CM, Chief Secretary and Home Secretary of Delhi government, who will now decide on the transfer and posting of Group 'A' officers and DANICS officers serving in the Delhi government.

It strengthened the position of the Lieutenant Governor, allowing him to act in 'sole discretion' in deciding matters related to the transfer and posting of bureaucrats. The ordinance said that "there shall be an authority to be known as the National Capital Civil Service Authority to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the functions assigned to it". 

The apex court had earlier upheld the primacy of Delhi's elected government in this regard, except for matters relating to law and order and land. Notably, any ordinance needs to be passed by Parliament within six weeks of its re-assembly, or it lapses.