In a fiery address to thousands gathered at the Aam Aadmi Party’s “Maha Rally” in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the Centre’s ordinance for control of services in the national capital. Kejriwal expressed concerns that the measure signifies an attack on Delhi and warned of similar ordinances potentially being applied to other states.
“The BJP can abuse me and I don’t mind that. But I won’t tolerate the insult of the people of Delhi,” the Chief Minister declared. He portrayed the ordinance as a direct affront to the citizens of Delhi.
Kejriwal, who is also the AAP’s national convener, went on to criticise the BJP-led Centre, accusing them of disregarding the Constitution. He linked the ordinance to a disregard for democracy, speculating that it could lead to authoritarian rule in Delhi.
The ordinance, promulgated by the Centre on May 19, created an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. This was viewed by the AAP government as a defiance of the Supreme Court’s verdict on control of services. It effectively returned the power of officer transfers and postings, which was under the executive control of the lieutenant governor prior to the top court’s May 11 verdict.
In response to the ordinance, Kejriwal has been canvassing support from leaders of non-BJP parties, hoping to defeat the Centre’s proposed bill to replace the ordinance when brought to Parliament. “Delhi is the first city to be attacked. If this ordinance that snatches the rights of people of Delhi is not opposed, similar ordinances will be brought for other states such as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Maharashtra,” Kejriwal warned during his address.
The Chief Minister also addressed the arrests of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. He described these arrests as attempts to disrupt the work being done in Delhi, yet remained confident, proclaiming, “But we have 100 Sisodias and 100 Jains. They will continue the good work.”
Kejriwal asserted his commitment to public service, contrasting his record with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was actively seeking to halt the progress made by the Delhi government.
Reflecting on the historic significance of Ramlila Maidan, Kejriwal voiced his belief that the rally would successfully spark a movement to safeguard democracy and the Constitution. The Chief Minister’s Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also spoke at the rally, with Sibal emphasising the need for opposition unity to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
