Activists of Aam Aadmi party and other INDIA alliance partners staged a dharna in front of Ambedkar statue in Tirupati, demanding the immediate release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. They criticized the NDA government for its vindictive politics, warning that the opposition will intensify the stir if Kejriwal was not released from jail. The protestors highlighted the undemocratic actions of the BJP-led government and the deteriorating health of Kejriwal.
On July 11, 2023, activists of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and other India Alliance partners staged a dharna (sit-in protest) in front of Ambedkar statue in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The protest was organized to demand the immediate release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had been arrested earlier that day by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Background
Kejriwal was arrested in connection with a corruption case related to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) tanker scam. The CBI had alleged that Kejriwal had conspired with former DJB Chairman Kapil Mishra to award contracts to a private company at inflated prices, resulting in a loss of over Rs 400 crore to the exchequer.
Kejriwal has denied the allegations and called his arrest a politically motivated move by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. He has claimed that the case against him is fabricated and that he is being targeted because he has been critical of the central government.
Protests and Reactions
The dharna in Tirupati was attended by a large number of AAP activists and supporters. They raised slogans against the BJP government and demanded Kejriwal's release. The protestors also highlighted the deteriorating health of Kejriwal, who has been on a fast since his arrest.
AAP leaders and other opposition parties have condemned Kejriwal's arrest and have accused the BJP government of authoritarianism and suppressing dissent. The Congress party, the Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party have all expressed their support for Kejriwal and have demanded his release.
Government Response
The BJP government has defended Kejriwal's arrest, saying that he has been arrested based on evidence in the DJB tanker scam case. The government has also rejected allegations of political vendetta and has said that it is committed to upholding the rule of law.
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