Delhi: Metro stations closed, security upped ahead of AAP's march
Five stations of the Delhi Metro have been shut down for the day for AAP's planned protest march to PM Narendra Modi's residence. Lok Kalyan Marg, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan and Janpath stations are the ones affected. A confrontation looks imminent as Delhi Police claimed permission hadn't been given for the march and imposed prohibitory orders in several areas.
How it all began
Monday evening, CM Arvind Kejriwal, along with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP leaders Gopal Rai and Satyender Jain, visited Baijal's office. Their prime demands were action against striking IAS officers, directions for them to return to work, and approval of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme. They have refused to leave till the L-G obliges. Jain and Sisodia are on an indefinite fast.
'De facto president's rule in Delhi'
I agree. It is de facto President’s rule in Delhi thro IAS strike https://t.co/kjsFGk1awC
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 16, 2018
AAP had warned of rally if demands unfulfilled till today
On Day-7 of Kejriwal's sit-in protest, AAP has planned a march from Mandi House metro station at 4pm, demanding a solution to the impasse. "I assure the L-G, PMO and Delhi Police there won't be any violence," said leader Saurabh Bharadwaj. But "attempts are being made to stop supporters from joining the march," he alleged.
Police up security, claiming AAP hasn't asked permission
Today's march is likely to witness chaos as police have been slapping Section 144 in nearby residential areas, claiming the party hasn't sought permission for a protest. "The New Delhi district hasn't received any permission of an AAP protest. Protest marches are banned in residential areas. Section 144 has been imposed," said senior officer Madhur Verma. "Outside forces" have been mobilized too, police claimed.
Four CMs, other parties' members speak in AAP's support
But AAP's protest has received support from the opposition, which is riding high on exuberance following major electoral wins as a united front. CMs Mamata Banerjee, HD Kumaraswamy, Pinarayi Vijayan and N Chandrababu Naidu have spoken to Modi requesting an immediate resolution to the deadlock, but they were denied permission to meet Kejriwal. Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury have also vowed support.
'Kejriwal is a Naxalite, why are they supporting him?'
#WATCH: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy says, 'Delhi CM is a Naxalite. Why should they (Mamata Banerjee, HD Kumaraswamy, Chandrababu Naidu Pinarayi Vijayan) support him?' pic.twitter.com/m0IAH7y0e8
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2018
IAS officers will address media today, Center still mum
Meanwhile, IAS officers, who have dismissed allegations of a 'strike,' are planning to address media today. However, they admitted to skipping "routine meetings called by ministers and the CM," citing fear of attack after the alleged assault of Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash. The L-G's office has blamed the Delhi Cabinet instead for not maintaining relations with bureaucrats. The Center is so far mum.
