The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up an impressive show during its march on Sunday as a number of CPI(M) cadre joined the magnitude of AAP supporters. Even, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury joined the march that was halted much before the Prime Minister’s residence as prior sanction was not sought from the Delhi Police.
The march, which began around 4 pm, was in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and three of his Cabinet colleagues who have been holding a sit-in at the l-G office for a week, demanding that lt Governor Anil Baijal direct IAS officers to end their “strike”.
They also demanded that the lt Governor approve the proposal for doorstep delivery of ration. Kejriwal had on Friday said that the march was planned after his letters to the Prime Minister, seeking his intervention in the matter, drew no response.
A huge number of people gathered at the Mandi House metro station about 4 pm. The crowd marched through the streets of lutyens’ Delhi amid heavy security deployment in the area.
The protesters, however, were stopped by Delhi Police and told to go to Jantar Mantar as AAP leaders did not seek permission for a march.
As the supporters gathered at Mandi House to march towards 7 lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi Police officers informed the AAP leaders that they cannot move ahead as they have not sought any permission. “New Delhi district not received any permission of an AAP protest. Protest marches are banned in residential areas. Section 144 has already been imposed,” said Madhur Verma, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi.
“The call given by the AAP to march towards PM office or residence is without permission. No permission has been applied for. As such the areas under New Delhi district are under prohibitory orders,” Verma added.
Delhi Police has requisitioned “outside forces” and exits of several metro stations -- Patel Chowk, Udgyog Bhavan, Central Secretariat, Janpath and lok Kalyan Marg -- were shut to prevent protesters from reaching the official residence of the Prime Minister.
Four Metro rail stations - Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan and lok Kalyan Marg (Race Course) -- were closed to prevent AAP workers and supporters to reach Mandi House, venue of the march scheduled at 4 pm.
A police officer said preparations have been made to prevent assembly of the protesters at Mandi House. “Those trying to take out the march will be detained since no permission has been sought for it,” he said.
A senior Delhi Metro official said entry and exit at the four stations falling in lutyens’ Delhi zone was closed from 2 pm onwards as per the advice of the Delhi Police.
No entry and exit will be allowed at the lok Kalyan Marg Metro station, closest to the PM’s residence, from 12 noon onwards, till further orders, the official said.
However, the interchange facilities will continue at Central Secretariat, he said. Reacting on the development, the AAP leadership alleged that the Delhi Police was trying to stop people from joining the march.
“Police has got several metro stations closed down. Barricades have been erected all over Delhi and police is going door to door asking people if they were going for the march. People are being stopped from going for the march,” Delhi AAP chief Gopal Rai said.
People, who have gathered at the offices and residences of MlAs, are being stopped from moving to Mandi House, alleged AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj.
Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla said that the situation in Delhi is “worse” than the Emergency.
AAP leader Atishi Marlena alleged the Delhi Police was working on the instruction of the PMO.
“Obviously @DelhiPolice is under instructions from @PMOIndia. But they underestimate the power of the common man! Today the people of Delhi are going to show their strength to @PMOIndia! (sic),” she tweeted.