Kejriwal's protest continues for fourth day

The hunger strike by Health Minister Satyendar Jain entered day two, while that by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia completed a day.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: A sit-in protest at the Lt. Governor's office by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues entered its fourth day on Thursday. The hunger strike by Health Minister Satyendar Jain entered day two, while that by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia completed a day. During a health check up on Thursday morning, all the parameters were nearly normal for both the ministers. Kejriwal, Sisodia, Jain and Gopal Rai has been camping in the Raj Niwas, the official accommodation-cum-office of Lt. Governor Anil Baijal, since Monday evening. The Delhi Chief Minister said he and his colleagues would not leave Baijal's office until their demands were met. The demands include a direction to IAS officers working in the Delhi administration to end their "strike", action against officers who have struck work for "four months" and approval to his government's proposal for doorstep delivery of ration to the poor. The four miniters continued attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), LG and the Central government through tweets. Kejriwal accued the LG's security personnel for not allowing his brother, who came from Pune, to see him. "Every right thinking person asking same question - why is Centre instigating strike by IAS? How can Centre not allow doorstep delivery of rations? These are simple and non-controversial demands of Delhiites," Kejriwal tweeted. The Chief Minister said he feels the intention, behind the non acceptance of their demand, is "not right". "Good morning. After all what Delhi people are demanding, for the doorstep delivery of rations and IAS officers to end their strike. Who in the world will say this is wrong? Why nothing is being done. Today is the fourth day, I don't feel their intention is right," he added. The ministers have been clearing all the government files from the LG office. They are being supplied with food from Kejriwal's residence. On Wednesday, hundreds of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters along with leaders came on roads to show their support to the Ministers' protest. They marched from the Chief Minister's residence to the LG house. Heavy police and CRPF were deployed in the area since Monday, and more were deployed on Wednesday to avoid any crisis due to the protest march. The AAP has planned a candle march in Rajpath on Thursday and warned of a protest at the Prime Minister's residence on Sunday if their demands were not met. In a move to counter the sit-in protest by the Chief Minister, the BJP on Wednesday also launched a protest highlighting the issues of water and electricity shortage in the national capital.