In a shocking turn of events, several leaders and members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have allegedly been placed under house arrest or detained by Delhi Police on February 2, 2024. This comes just hours before AAP leaders were scheduled to protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters against alleged unfair practices in the recent Chandigarh municipal polls.
AAP Accuses BJP of Abusing Power
AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to accuse the BJP of misusing power and detaining opposition leaders. “BJP is so rattled by AAP’s protest against their illegal and unconstitutional actions in Chandigarh that they have put me and many AAP MLAs under house arrest,” he tweeted.
Manish Sisodia, Deputy CM of Delhi, also claimed that he has been placed under house arrest to prevent him from joining the protest. “BJP is scared of Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP. By unlawfully arresting our leaders, they cannot silence us,” Sisodia told reporters. Several other party members and local leaders have been allegedly put under house arrest as well.
BJP Denies Allegations
The Delhi BJP has denied these allegations as baseless lies being spread by AAP for political mileage. Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana accused AAP of needlessly raking up controversies and spreading misinformation.
“No one has been placed under house arrest. This is just drama being done by AAP to remain in the media limelight. If they had any genuine concerns, they would have approached the Election Commission instead,” Khurana stated.
Why AAP Called for Protest?
The AAP had called for a protest outside the BJP headquarters in afternoon to protest against the party’s alleged unfair means in the recent Chandigarh municipal polls. AAP leader Kejriwal has accused the BJP of bribing and threatening independent councilors to vote in favor of the BJP mayoral candidate.
While the AAP had emerged as the single largest party by winning 14 out of 35 seats, the BJP had bagged 12 seats in the Chandigarh municipal polls held last month. Later, the BJP candidate managed to secure a majority and its candidate was elected as the mayor of Chandigarh.
AAP leaders have termed it a murder of democracy and violation of the Constitution. Hence, they called for a demonstration to vent their anger against what they call the “BJP’s high-handedness”.
Political Tensions on the Rise
The alleged detention of AAP leaders ahead of the planned protest has further strained the relationship between the two warring parties in recent times. The BJP, which runs the central government, has had a bitter rivalry with the AAP that heads the Delhi government.
In the past months, leaders from both sides have not missed a chance to take potshots and allegations against each other on issues ranging from pollution control measures to charges of corruption. Political observers say that today’s incident highlights the extremes to which this rivalry has reached.
With crucial state elections approaching next year, things are likely to heat up further between both parties vying for greater political influence across India.
The protest led by Chief Minister Kejriwal began outside the BJP headquarters. AAP claims many of its detained leaders and workers have now joined the demonstration after being released.
Heavy police presence was seen outside the venue. BJP workers were also present, raising counter slogans against AAP leaders.
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