Arvind Kejriwal to protest against Modi govt's Land Bill

In an attempt to deflect focus from the rebellion that has hit the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will on Wednesday lead a protest rally against the Narendra Modi government's Land Bill at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

The Delhi Police has already denied permission to AAP to hold the rally and Section 144 of CrPC is already in place in New Delhi area as Parliament is in session. Senior officers of Delhi Police said that action will be taken against anyone violating the prohibitory orders.

Reportedly, additional forces are to be positioned to prevent AAP supporters from marching towards Parliament.

The AAP is demanding the withdrawal of the land ordinance saying that cosmetic amendments will not do. The party has backed UPA's version of the Land Bill.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "The BJP's Land Ordinance is a 'black law' and we will protest against it. Just changing a few sections of the Bill won't do good. 80 per cent farmers consent was needed earlier and it was changed by the NDA. Earlier fertile land couldn't be taken over, that will change."

Promising to stand by farmers in their hour of need, another AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said, "Farmers have not been given any support by the government. We want the Prime Minister to intervene and give relief to farmers. We don't want to politicise the issue. We will stand by farmers."

The Delhi government had on April 16 approved Rs 36 crore compensation fund for the farmers hit by unseasonal rains and hailstorm in the national capital. According a senior official, the assessment of affected crops have been estimated at 19,000 acres of land. Around 30,000 to 40,000 farmers will be compensated.