'Conspiracy Behind Arrest, Democracy Behind Bars': Oppn Leaders Protest At Jantar Mantar Over Kejriwal's Arrest

The leaders who participated for the protest rally included Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, among others.

Delhi: I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders on Tuesday gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest over the "deteriorating" health of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in the Tihar jail in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Slamming the Centre for "misusing the agencies" and "supressing the voice of those who oppose them," the opposition leaders are demanding Kejriwal's release from the jail. 

The opposition leaders who arrived at Jantar Mantar for the protest included Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI General Secretary D Raja, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, among others.

Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi were also present in the INDIA bloc rally.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal even alleged that there was a "deal with ED" following which the Delhi CM was put behind bars. "There was a conspiracy," she added.

"You would've understood that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been put in jail under a deep political conspiracy. ED had put him in jail over his one statement. Magunta Reddy had met Arvind Kejriwal only once over land for his charitable trust. ED had put his son in jail. There was a deal with ED and Arvind Kejriwal was put in jail," said Sunita Kejriwal. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said: "They have not put Kejriwal ji behind bars but the democracy has been put behind bars. The entire INDIA bloc is with Kejriwal."

'Demand To Release Arvind Kejriwal'

Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha, who was present at the protest rally said: "INDIA bloc's unity could be seen today...People who were worried about Arvind Kejriwal and his deteriorating health came here...There is a demand to release Arvind Kejriwal..."

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and grand old party's national president Mallikarjun Kharge had "instructed us to support AAP over injustice done to Arvind Kejriwal".

Alleging that he was jailed "illegally," Gogoi said: "He was put in jail illegally time and again. His health is deteriorating. The govt should have released him on humanitarian ground but they are not. It is working as a coward govt, they are hiding before ED and CBI. The govt is dependent on two political parties, they will not complete 5 years term. That is why we have alerted everyone to be ready for by-polls after few months. They will sit in Opposition and INDIA alliance will form the government."

'Trying To Suppress The Voice Of Those Who Oppose Them'

Addressing the protest gathering, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said: "AAP is a political party which emerged from the demonstrations held at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila Grounds. This party made ordinary people MLAs, MPs, Ministers and Chief Ministers. This party thinks about the welfare of the common people.”

CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya stated that the three senior leaders of the AAP including, Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain were put in jail as part of a "conspiracy".

"The Modi government is responsible for the anarchy in Delhi. This anarchy took the lives of the three UPSC aspirants in Rajinder Nagar. BJP took the lives of three UPSC aspirants," news agency PTI quoted Bhattacharya as saying during the rally.

"They tried to end AAP, weaken Delhi government as part of a conspiracy. The elected chief minister is in jail. Umar Khalid and many activists are in jail in false charges in Delhi riots. Bhima Koregaon fake case, father Stan Swamy was in jail and he even died while in custody. There is a huge conspiracy against leaders, activists,” he alleged.

He further said that the BJP-led Centre is "trying to suppress the voice of those who oppose them," adding that the "recent mandate has proved that people won't tolerate tyranny. We will ensure justice."

'Many Organisations Harass Politicians From Time To Time'

Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav addressed the protest gathering saying, "there are many organisations in Delhi (Central Govt), which harass politicians from time to time, those organisations do not let them get justice."

"If and when we come to power, we will end such organisations forever. In our democracy, no one can be falsely accused," he added.

'All Agencies Are Being Misused'

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury also arrived at Jantar Mantar to show his support for Kejriwal. While there, he told the reporters that the protest was being staged to "pressurise the government to take action". "All the agencies are being misused," he alleged.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said that the INDIA bloc leaders reached Delhi to support AAP. 

"We support AAP. (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal and (West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee have a good political relation. We are here to tell that this fight will continue against the dictatorship," she said.