Security personnel have maintained patrols in Central Delhi as AAP urged people to assemble at Shaheedi Park on Saturday. AAP has urged people to gather to protest against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal concerning the excise policy-linked money-laundering case.
Delhi Minister Gopal Rai announced that all AAP MLAs, councillors, office-bearers, and representatives of the INDIA bloc will convene at Shaheedi Park at 10 am on Saturday, coinciding with the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. They will collectively pledge to safeguard democracy. Rai also stated that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be present at the event.
According to Delhi Police officials, roads leading to Shaheedi Park have not been closed yet, but closures may be implemented based on the evolving situation.
“If they try to march or hold a protest, action will be taken,” a senior officer said.
Traffic disruptions are anticipated in some parts of central Delhi due to heavy barricading and increased police deployment.
Chief Minister Kejriwal has been remanded in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate until March 28 by a local court, citing the need for detailed interrogation regarding his alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy scam.
Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with others, were detained during a protest against the BJP over Kejriwal’s arrest on Friday. They were apprehended at the ITO intersection, near the AAP and BJP headquarters, where prohibitory orders are in effect under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Shaheedi Park, situated on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, is approximately one kilometer from the BJP’s headquarters on DDU Marg, where AAP leaders intended to march for a protest on Friday but were stopped at ITO Chowk.
Police officers have stated that both paramilitary and police personnel will be deployed around the BJP headquarters, and road closures and metro station shutdowns are potential measures depending on the circumstances.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya assured that security personnel will remain deployed in central Delhi to ensure peace and order.
AAP leaders have announced plans to burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in all assembly constituencies of Delhi on Sunday. They also declared that party workers will refrain from celebrating Holi on Monday and have called for a “gherao” of the prime minister’s residence on Tuesday.