New Delhi:

Key leaders of the INDIA bloc joined forces for a rally in the national capital today as a demonstration of their collective strength and solidarity following the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. 

The event, dubbed “Loktantra Bachao” or ‘save democracy’, will witness the participation of prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Farooq Abdullah, among others. But for Mr Kejriwal, currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam of 2022, it all goes back to where it began – Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. 

Ramlila Maidan stands as more than just a venue for festivals and celebrations. This historic ground, nestled near Ajmeri Gate, has witnessed the ebb and flow of time, evolving from a site of Ramlila festivities dating back to the 19th century to serving as Ground Zero for political protests in the national capital. 

In 1955, during a momentous Soviet visit, Nikita Khrushchev graced its ground. In 1959, then-US President Dwight Eisenhower delivered a speech at the maidan.During the dark days of the Emergency, it was here that Jayaprakash Narayan rallied the masses, igniting the flames of dissent that eventually led to the restoration of democracy. 

As Mr Kejriwal faces legal trouble, it is here, at the Ramlila Maidan, where his political career began. 

From his days as an activist against corruption alongside Anna Hazare to his ascension as Delhi’s seventh Chief Minister, Mr Kejriwal’s career in public office was greatly influenced by his days protesting at Ramlila Maidan. 

In 2011, the Ramlila Maidan served as the base for Anna Hazare’s 12-day fasting protest in support of the Jan Lokpal bill. During this time, Mr Kejriwal stood by his side, gaining widespread recognition in Delhi. In 2013, Mr Kejriwal took oath at the Ramlila Maidan after becoming Delhi’s youngest Chief Minister. He would repeat that in 2015 and then again in 2020. 

Today as Opposition leaders gather at the historic ground, Sunita Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister’s wife, will read out a message penned by her husband from ED custody. 

Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are also expected to attend the rally.

The opposition is anticipated to voice vehement criticism against what it deems as the BJP’s exploitation of central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the Income Tax Department.

The BJP insists that Mr Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED and the issuance of tax notifications to the Congress were outcomes of the agencies operating autonomously and adhering to legal protocols. Additionally, it criticised the AAP for persisting in its demand for the Delhi chief minister to govern from jail.

 

New Delhi:

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will hold a mega rally in Delhi today to protest against the arrest of its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The ‘Loktantra Bachao’ (Save Democracy) rally will be held at Ramlila Maidan and is being seen as a show of strength and unity by the INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Some of the senior leaders in attendance will be Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien.

Mr Kejriwal is currently in the Enforcement Directorate custody in connection with a money-laundering case.

Here are the live updates on AAP’s mega rally in Delhi:

Get NDTV UpdatesTurn on notifications to receive alerts as this story develops.

“There Is Anger Among People Against Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest”: Delhi Minister

Ahead of AAP’s mega rally today, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that there is anger among people against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. 

“The people did not like that a chief minister has been jailed,” he told the news agency ANI. 

#WATCH | Delhi: On the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan today, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, “We went to the streets of Delhi and we saw that there is anger among the people against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. The people did not like that a CM is jailed. At the Ramlila… pic.twitter.com/l9yTEQ7oQY

– ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

He also said that the AAP rally, which will be attended by the INDIA bloc members, will be a “huge challenge” for the BJP.

Delhi Police On Alert For AAP’s Rally At Ramlila Maidan

The Delhi Police is on alert and has made elaborate arrangements with checking at every gate and deployment of paramilitary personnel in and around the Ramlila Maidan for AAP-led INDIA bloc’s mega rally.

The Delhi Police has allowed the rally to take place with certain conditions, including no march, no tractor trollies, and no weapons in central Delhi.

#WATCH | Delhi: Preparations underway at Ramlila Maidan, for INDIA bloc’s ‘maharally’ to protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. pic.twitter.com/AukApBQnsl

– ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

The administration has allowed 20,000 people to come for the rally, but police expects it to exceed 30,000.

The AAP claims the gathering may reach up to one lakh, which is the full capacity of Ramlila Maidan.

Seven gates have been prepared for entry and exit at the Ramlila Maidan, and every visitor will be checked with door frame metal detectors and hand-held machines at the entry gates.

AAP Rally In Delhi: Police Issue Traffic Advisory
According to the Delhi Police’s traffic advisory, movement will be regulated and may be restricted on the Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk, Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to roundabout Kamla Market, Hamdard Chowk, JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk and Ajmeri Gate, roundabout Kamla Market to Guru Nanak Chowk and Chaman Lal Marg near VIP Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk to Turkman Gate from 9 am to 3 pm.

Traffic diversion may also be imposed on Rajghat Chowk, Minto Road, DDU Marg, Mirdard Chowk, Paharganj Chowk, A-Point, and Delhi Gate from 9 am onwards.

Traffic Advisory

In view of a political rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31, 2024, traffic will be affected.

Kindly follow the traffic advisory. #DPTrafficAdvisorypic.twitter.com/UBozpP2wVA

– Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) March 30, 2024

People going towards ISBT, railway station or airport have been advised to plan their travel with sufficient time at hand.

Live Updates: Top INDIA Bloc Leaders To Attend AAP Rally

Several senior INDIA bloc leaders will attend the rally which is being held days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party president Rahul Gandhi will attend the “loktantra bachao” rally. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi may also participate in the rally.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar president Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will also attend the mega rally.

#WATCH | Delhi: INDIA alliance to hold rally against the arrest of Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, at Ramlila Maidan from 11 am today

(Visuals from the Ramlila Maidan) pic.twitter.com/D7MsbGaETy

– ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024

Other prominent political leaders and members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) like Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren of JMM, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva will also attend the rally.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his cabinet ministers, and AAP MLAs will also participate in the rally.

Kalpana Soren, the wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, who is currently in jail, will also attend the rally. Ms Soren on Saturday met Mr Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal at Delhi Chief Minister’s residence on 6 Flagstaff Road.

Live Updates: Mega AAP Rally At Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan Today

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will today hold a mega rally in Delhi to protest against the arrest of its national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. 

The ‘Loktantra Bachao’ (Save Democracy) rally will be held at Ramlila Maidan.