I.N.D.I.A Bloc Rally Highlights: 'Arvind Kejriwal Is More Dangerous Inside Jail Than He Was Outside', Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Says
I.N.D.I.A Bloc Mega Rally Highlights: Please follow this space for all the latest news and updates related to I.N.D.I.A bloc's mega show of strength in Delhi.
After the INDIA alliance rally at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai says, "... All senior leaders of the INDIA alliance from around the country gathered at the Ramlila Maidan. The large public gathering we saw at the rally today, indicates that Arvind Kejriwal is more dangerous inside the jail than he was outside... This time the elections have taken the form of a revolution..." (ANI)
BJP leader RP Singh said on the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally held earlier today at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, “If there is any threat to the democracy, then it is from corrupt people. Therefore, these corrupt people came together today for the rally.” (PTI)
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said on the arrest of opposition leaders by the central investigative agencies, “These are the signs of a fascist dictatorship. They (the BJP-led NDA) do not believe either in democracy or in the Constitution.” (PTI)
On RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's statement at INDIA Alliance 'maha rally,' Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai says, "Tejashwi Yadav has become a symbol of corruption and he is not even getting tired doing scams and corruption. CBI, ED and these types of institutions are independent institutions... He (Tejashwi Yadav) has been in a big position and he is also a leader of RJD, does it mean that he can keep committing corruption, scams, and injustice? keep shielding culprits and the law should not reach out to him? No, the nation's law does not spare anyone...." (ANI)
After attending the INDIA alliance rally in Delhi, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, "...Unemployment is rising and ED is being misused to suppress the opposition. An attempt is being made to rig the elections even before they take place. People want to save the Constitution, want to save democracy, that is why they have come to this ground in such large numbers...'' (ANI)
"BJP is not going to get even 200 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls). They are frustrated and shocked," says Congress leader Supriya Shrinate after attending the INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
On the INDIA alliance rally, in Ramlila Maidan, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "...All the big leaders of Indian politics who are not with the BJP were present at the stage. In one voice they have said to the BJP that the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal is wrong. All those who have knowledge about politics are saying that since the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal which happened on March 21, the graph of BJP is going down. People have their sympathy towards the CM and AAP and this will harm the BJP... Arvind Kejriwal has given the guarantees which Sunita Kejriwal has read, and it's the record that whatever guarantees Arvind Kejriwal makes, he completes it. Today, he has given 6 guarantees and people love it..." (ANI)
On Maha rally by INDIA alliance at Ramlila Maidan, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "In Ramlila Maidan, those who put dots in between the name of this country and speak about saving the nation. They are actually there to save their family... India's 'tukde tukde' is in the DNA of Congress... Yuvraj is not even ready to accept India as a nation and he also demands interference of foreign soil..." (ANI)
At the Maha Rally at the Ramlila Maidan, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "INDIA Alliance has 5 demands. The Election Commission should ensure equal opportunity in the Lok Sabha elections. Second, the ECI should stop the forceful action against the opposition taken by the ED, CBI and IT. Third, Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal should be released immediately. Fourth, attempts to weaken the opposition financially should be stopped. Fifth, an SIT should be formed to investigate the funds raised by the BJP through electoral bonds." (ANI)
Kalpana Soren, wife of JMM leader and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, says, "I am standing in front of you as the voice of 50 per cent of India's women population and 9 per cent of the tribal community...Today this gathering in this historic ground is testifying that you all have come from every part of the country to end the dictatorship..." (ANI)
Addressing the INDIA alliance rally at Ramlila Maidan, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "You have to decide if you want democracy or dictatorship... Those who support dictatorship need to be kicked out of the country... BJP and RSS are like poison. You will die even if you taste poison..." (ANI)
NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar lashed out at the Centre on the arrests of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and said the action on such leaders was an attack on the country's democracy and the Constitution. He said, "This government (central government) has arrested the Delhi CM, Jharkhand CM and also put many other leaders from different states in jail. This action is an attack on democracy and the Constitution...It is our responsibility to save it.''
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister was trying to 'match-fix' the Lok Sabha election. He said, "Without EVMs, match-fixing, social media, and pressurising the press, they cannot win more than 180 seats."
Addressing the Opposition's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, former J&K CM and J&K NC leader Farooq Abdullah said, "All the arrested leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren would be free when all of you would hold onto the Constitution. At the time of elections, press the button that would remove this government... All of us have to come together and walk together... We are never going to leave this alliance."
Addressing the Opposition's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, former J&K CM and J&K NC leader Farooq Abdullah said, "All the arrested leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren would be free when all of you would hold onto the Constitution. At the time of elections, press the button that would remove this government... All of us have to come together and walk together... We are never going to leave this alliance."
Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita read out a letter from the jailed leader at the I.N.D.I.A bloc's mega show of strength and unity in Delhi. She said, "Your own Kejriwal has sent a message for you from jail. Before reading this message, I would like to ask you something. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi put my husband in jail, did the Prime Minister do the right thing? Do you believe that Kejriwal Ji is a true patriot and honest person? These BJP people are saying that Kejriwal ji is in jail, he should resign. Should he resign? Your Kejriwal is a lion, they will not be able to keep him in jail for long..."
AAP leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai opened the I.N.D.I.A bloc rally with a fresh attack on the Centre, saying that 'democracy is under attack'. He said, "Protests have erupted in the whole country after March 21. No one is able to understand why a sitting CM has been arrested. But it is not just Arvind Kejriwal. Before arresting the Delhi CM, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested... With the misuse of the ED and CBI, democracy is under attack..."
On the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "There is no restriction on doing a rally. But who is gathering? Those who are drenched in corruption, those who are jailed for looting public money. The ones who wore a cloak of honesty and said that they would do a new kind of politics are now speaking of running the government from jail. I heard that following the footsteps of Lalu Yadav, Kejriwal wants to make his wife the CM... Such people are protesting against the honest government of PM Modi... The people are not going to listen to them... Everything will be clarified on 4th (June)."
The leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has arrived at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan to participate in the I.N.D.I.A bloc's 'Maha Rally'.
Amidst the I.N.D.I.A bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan today, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat delivered a scathing critique of the government, citing widespread discontent against what she termed a "dictator and communal government".
Leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party have started to gather at Ramlila Maidan where the I.N.D.I.A bloc is set to target the BJP-ruled Centre over Kejriwal's arrest. The rally will begin at 10 am.
Punjab Minister and AAP leader Harjot Singh Bains says, "The BJP is spreading dictatorship in the country by misusing the agencies... Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested in a fake case. All parties of the INDIA Alliance are gathering at the Ramlila Maidan to register their protest against the BJP."
Briefing on the security arrangement at the I.N.D.I.A bloc rally, DCP Central M Harshvardhan says, "To maintain the law and order and to ensure smooth traffic movement, elaborate arrangements have been made. The organisers of the rally have given an undertaking to adhere to some terms and conditions that are essential to maintain law and order."
"The time for the rally is permitted till 2 PM... We have made sufficient deployment. The gathering is expected to be of 20,000 as given by the organiser in the undertaking..."
Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren leaves from Ranchi to attend the I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi. "We need to save the democracy and end the dictatorship in the country," says Soren.
Ahead of the opposition's rally at Ramlila ground, AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak says, "The central agencies are being misused. Whoever speaks against them (government) or speaks of an alternative in the country is getting arrested in any fake case. The whole nation is gathered against this. They have gathered to tell that the country will run as per the Constitution and not by the 'Vasooli gang'..."
Ahead of the Opposition's rally, Punjab minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Balbir Singh says, "We want to abolish the dictatorship and save the democracy and the Constitution. This is a Maha Rally by the INDI Alliance. All the leaders of the alliance will come and inform about the further strategy... 140 crore Indians are opposing it (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest). The corrupt people are joining the BJP and honest people are in jail..."
The Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory ahead of the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc's rally at the Ramlila Maidan. The general traffic might be regulated or restricted on
• Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk.
• Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to R/A Kamla Market, Hamdard Chowk. • JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk and Ajmeri Gate.
• R/A Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk.
• Chaman Lal Marg near VIP Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk to Turkman Gate.
Meanwhile, diversions may be imposed on
• Rajghat Chowk
• Minto Road, DDU Marg
• Mirdard Chowk
• Paharganj Chowk
• A-Point
• Delhi Gate
Preparations are underway at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan for the opposition's rally. Posters are being put up and heavy deployment of paramilitary force could be seen.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will also attend the Sunday rally, as per ABP News sources. Since Kejriwal's arrest, Sunita has been voicing her concerns through digital media briefing. She also launched a WhatsApp number to garner support for her husband.
Leaders of the Opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Farooq Abdullah will attend the the "Loktantra Bachao" rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan in the backdrop of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in a show of strength.
Background
I.N.D.I.A Bloc Mega Rally Highlights: In the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, the I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders participated in a mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila ground in a massive show of strength and Opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Please follow this space for all the latest news and updates related to the rally. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in the excise policy case on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.
The "Loktantra Bachao" rally, or 'save democracy' rally, will be attended by Mallikarjun Kharge Rahul Gandhi, Bhagwant Mann, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah will also attend the rally, said party vice president Omar Abdullah. Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal is also likely to be present at Ramlila ground, according to an AAP leader.
Delhi minister and AAP senior leader Gopal Rai claimed that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will also attend the rally, according to a PTI report.
The rally by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance will send a "strong message" to the Lok Kalyan Marg, where the prime minister's residence is located, that the BJP-led government's "time is up".
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi will address the rally, among other senior leaders.
The rally has received a nod from the police under certain conditions including no march, no tractor-trollies, and no weapons in central Delhi, while section 144 of the CrPC will remain imposed at the DDU Marg, where the offices of political parties are located, said an official.
According to the PTI report, a dozen companies of paramilitary personnel will be deployed around the Ramlila Maidan and other parts of central Delhi, including DDU Marg.
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