Arvind Kejriwal’s detention in Delhi excise case prompts the AAP to organize a “mass fast”
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th April. In protest of Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who was arrested on Sunday over the Delhi liquor policy, party members and leaders are participating in a “samuhik upwas” (mass) fast.
At Jantar Mantar, the ruling party in Delhi staged an agitation. Leading AAP figures took part in the demonstrations that started in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Party workers were instructed by the AAP to share pictures of themselves fasting on a website and on X.
https://x.com/AamAadmiParty/status/1776811267598238141
“The entire country will observe a fast today starting at 10 AM in protest of @ArvindKejriwal ji’s conspiracy arrest. During your fast, send us pictures and notes at kejriwalkoaashirvaad.com. Remember to tag us in the pictures you post on Twitter during your fast. The post stated, “Democracy will triumph over dictature.”
AAP former MLA petitions the HC to remove Kejriwal as Chief Minister
Sandeep Kumar, a former AAP MLA, has petitioned the Delhi High Court to have Kejriwal removed from his position as Chief Minister of the nation’s capital. The hearing for the petition is scheduled for Monday before Justice Subramonium Prasad.
In his appeal, Kumar claimed that Kejriwal had been “incapacitated” to perform the duties of the chief minister as prescribed by the Constitution following his detention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to a money-laundering case involving the now-cancelled excise scheme for Delhi. The plea claims that the AAP leader’s “unavailability” undermines the constitutional framework and that the Constitution’s mandate prohibits him from serving as chief minister while incarcerated.
“The Constitution’s Article 239AA(4) assigns the Chief Minister as the chairman of the Council of Ministers, whose role it is to assist and counsel the lieutenant governor in carrying out his duties with regard to subjects on which the legislative Assembly may pass laws. According to the petition, the chief minister must be a free individual who is accessible to provide the lieutenant governor with assistance and advice in accordance with the Constitution. Without him, these things would be nearly impossible.
Prior to this, the high court had turned down two requests in a public interest lawsuit asking for Kejriwal to be removed as Chief Minister.
Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P S Arora’s bench declined to consider a public interest lawsuit (PIL) on April 4, citing Kejriwal’s right to remain as Chief Minister.
A similar PIL had previously been dismissed by the bench, noting that the petitioner had not established a legal obstacle preventing the imprisoned Chief Minister from serving in his capacity as Minister.
It had noted that the other branches of the State should investigate the situation and that there was no room for judicial intervention.
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