The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared its plans to organise a grand ‘Maha-Rally’ in the capital city of Delhi to voice its strong opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dictatorial governance and his unconstitutional ordinance. The rally, scheduled to take place at Ramlila Maidan on June 11, aims to unite citizens in a collective stand for democracy and safeguarding the rights of the people.
AAP Delhi State Convenor and Cabinet Minister Shri Gopal Rai extended an earnest invitation to the residents of Delhi, urging them to participate in large numbers and lend their voices to this momentous event. He emphasised the significance of active citizen participation in shaping the future of the nation. He further highlighted the concerns regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ordinance targeting the residents of Delhi, stating that it should be seen as an experimental move by the ruling party. He cautioned that if successful, this precedent could potentially pave the way for its implementation throughout the entire country. The Aam Aadmi Party firmly believes that such measures undermine the principles of democracy and infringe upon the rights and powers of the people. He also raised concerns over the current support extended by the Congress Party to an encroachment upon the powers vested in the people.
Shri Gopal Rai addressed an important press conference at the party headquarters today, condemning the recent actions of the BJP-led central government. He said that after the Supreme Court’s decision to preserve the rights of the electorate of Delhi and grant power to the elected government over the bureaucracy, the manner in which the central government and the Prime Minister of the country have issued an Ordinance is a betrayal of trust of the people of Delhi. Through this machination, the rights of the citizens residing in Delhi have been hijacked. Shri Gopal Rai denounced the actions of the central government and declared that the people of Delhi have been shocked by this turn of events.
He continued, “Ever since this Ordinance was issued, you all are seeing that the leaders of BJP are singing praises in favour of this black ordinance, beating their chest proudly. The Supreme Court gave an opportunity to the government elected by citizens of Delhi to run the bureaucratic system of Delhi, on the basis of accountability and transparency. The BJP mourned this development in the apex court, as if a great tragic storm befell the people of Delhi.” Shri Gopal Rai rebuked the reasons shared by the BJP for the issuance of the Ordinance. For example, the BJP argued that the Ordinance is necessary as Delhi is the capital of the country, and there are many embassies here. The Delhi Cabinet Minister on the other hand responded to this statement by saying, “It seems as if after the formation of Modi’s government, embassies started being built in Delhi! BJP says that what happens in Delhi affects the whole world, that’s why they have brought out this Ordinance. The whole world however is witness to how they overnight flouted the decision of the Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court.” Shri Gopal Rai deplored the conduct of the central government for being anti-democratic and tyrannical.
He further said that India’s democratic governance system operates within India only under and due to the Constitution of India. Whether it is the central government of India or the government of a state, every state body or agency receives power from and under the Constitution. For instance, the Constitution is very clear about what powers ought to be given to Delhi’s elected government and what powers ought to be wielded by the Lieutenant-Governor. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court made it amply clear in the recent judgement that apart from land, police and public order, the elected government will have the right to decide on all the subjects on which the Legislative Assembly can make laws. Even after that, deliberate and mala fide confusion was created by the Modi government regarding the functioning of the administrative services in Delhi. Despite the SC judgement, the central government has shamelessly arrogated power over the services to itself, by issuing this Ordinance. What the Modi government has done in its arrogance of power, Shri Gopal Rai contended, is an insult not only to the elected government of Delhi but also to the 2 crore people of Delhi.
Shri Gopal Rai expressing his anger said, “The people of Delhi have been fighting since Shri Madanlal Khurana’s time to make Delhi a full-fledged state. Now the BJP says that they will not let Delhi remain half or even a quarter of the state it is supposed to be. Now all the decisions of Delhi will be taken by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The black Ordinance brought by the BJP proves that Prime Minister Modi is bent on dictatorship.” It is in light of these perilous circumstances that the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to run a campaign opposing the Ordinance, together with the people of Delhi. On June 11, the people of Delhi under the aegis of AAP will organise a maharally at Ramlila Maidan to express their anger against this Ordinance, Shri Gopal Rai shared. The Cabinet Minister appealed to the people of Delhi to support and join the rally, and raise their voice against this Ordinance, irrespective of political affiliations.
“If democracy is murdered in the capital of India, then we all have to stand together. Otherwise, democracy will be killed in the country as well and the country will be pushed back centuries. That’s why we appeal to all the people of Delhi who believe in the constitution of the country, join us to express your anger at Ramlila Maidan on 11th June. If the central government will close all the doors, then I want to say only one line for them: ‘If they close one door, we will find more ways, more doors to open and fight them tooth and nail’. Our fight will continue against their dictatorship and we will continue this fight together with the people of Delhi.”, he concluded.
