New Delhi, March 1 – The Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi President, Saurabh Bharadwaj, said on Sunday that the party's rally at Jantar Mantar was aimed at giving a voice to thousands of dismissed contractual workers and to expose what he termed as "vendetta politics" by the BJP. He asserted that the event was "a rally, not a protest."
This will be the first public rally for AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal since the court discharged him in the liquor policy case.
Police personnel were deployed at and around the venue to maintain security and manage the gathering.
Saurabh Bharadwaj clarified that the event is "a rally, not a protest."
"This is a rally, not a protest. Our party's National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, our leaders from Goa, and our leaders from Gujarat, will all be on the stage here. We will raise our voices for those thousands of young people who were unfairly dismissed from their jobs – bus marshals, bus conductors, nurses and pharmacy staff from Mohalla Clinics – by the BJP government and the Lieutenant Governor," Bharadwaj said.
He further added that Kejriwal is expected to address what the party describes as "false cases and conspiracies" allegedly filed by the BJP against AAP leaders.
AAP leader Gopal Rai said the rally would mark an intensification of the party's political campaign.
"The entire Delhi has been suffering for a year. All AAP leaders have been proven innocent. We will continue the politics of honesty and intensify our fight for the rights of Delhi," Rai said.
The rally has drawn sharp reactions from leaders of the BJP and its allies.
In Patna, Bihar Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said the matter concerning legal proceedings involving AAP leaders is still pending before the High Court.
"The appeal has been filed in the High Court. The full case has not been thoroughly reviewed yet. For this reason, this kind of notice has been issued. The High Court will examine it, as it has already reviewed all the related cases. Since the matter is still pending before the court, there is no need to celebrate excessively at this stage," he said.
Meanwhile, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, MLC Danish Azad Ansari criticised the AAP chief’s move, alleging that the rally is an attempt to divert public attention.
"Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal is resorting to stunts to divert public attention. He has deceived the people and betrayed their trust. The public now knows the true character and face of the Aam Aadmi Party, and they will not fall into their agenda," Ansari said.
The rally at Jantar Mantar was attended by party workers and supporters from Delhi as well as neighbouring states, with Kejriwal likely to outline AAP’s political roadmap and respond to ongoing legal and political challenges.
