INDIA bloc's March 31 protest against Kejriwal's arrest gets EC, Delhi Police approval: Report

The opposition INDIA bloc will hold a "maha rally" at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to safeguard the country's interests and democracy

The INDIA bloc's plan to hold a “maha rally” at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on March 31  over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by Enforcement Directorate reportedly got the approval from the Election Commission and Police .

Citing Aam Aadmi Party sources, ANI reported INDIA bloc leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Derek O'Brien, Tiruchi Siva, Farooq Abdullah, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja and other will participate in the rally.

Permission has been received from the Election Commission and Police for the INDIA bloc rally to be organised at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on March 31., reported ANI on March 29.

The rally, to be organised in solidarity with AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, would aim at galvanising people to stand against the alleged authoritarianism of the present government.

“The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Modi regime showcases authoritarianism at its peak,” Gopal Rai earlier said, emphasising the need for a united front to resist such encroachments on democratic freedoms.

Delhi Congress ex-president Subhash Chopra emphasised the rally’s significance in challenging the erosion of democratic institutions. “The rally signals a collective assertion against attempts to weaken the pillars of democracy,” Chopra said.

On the other hand, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva termed the “maha rally” move as a diversionary tactic aimed at deflecting people’s attention from corruption allegations against Kejriwal. He questioned the claims of Kejriwal’s innocence citing the absence of any court relief or bail following his arrest.

*With Agency Inputs