Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the BJP-led government at the Centre had curtailed the powers of the Delhi government to punish him for supporting the farmers. He said he was prepared to sacrifice his life for it.
Addressing a “Kisan Mahapanchayat” here, Mr. Kejriwal said the Union government had brought the Bill in Parliament divesting the Delhi Chief Minister of all powers to “punish Kejriwal for supporting the farmers’ movement”. “The Delhi Chief Minister has no power. All power is with the Lieutenant Governor. An elected government with 60-odd MLAs has no power. Did we fight for Independence for this day?” he asked.
He said he was not scared of any ‘punishment’ and ready to sacrifice even his life. “Those who are opposed to farmers’ movement are traitors. We are ready to make any sacrifice to make this movement a success,” said Mr. Kejriwal.
He said the BJP had all the power but had not done a single work worth mentioning in seven years. He said one doesn’t need power to serve people. “The BJP has power but it’s intentions are bad. We don’t have power but have right intentions,” quipped Mr. Kejriwal.
He vowed to support the movement till the end and was ready to pay any price for it. “Your son is Chief Minister in Delhi. There is no need to worry,” Mr. Kejriwal assured farmers amid loud cheers. He said he was confident that the Union government would agree to the farmers’ demand.
He said it was his dream to see India as ‘developed’ country in his lifetime.
Despite pressure from the Union government and the threats to curtail his power, he did not accord permission to convert stadiums in Delhi into jails for agitating farmers, he said. “I put a noting on the file saying farmers movement and their demands were justified and returned it.” He said he directed his MLAs to serve the agitating farmers as “common man” and arranged for power, water and toilets at the sit-in sites.
He also condemned the police action on the farmers in Rohtak on Saturday during Chief Minister Manohar Lal’s visit.
The AAP leaders attributed the thin attendance at the mahapanchayat to the farmers blocking roads at several places on Sunday in protest against the police action.
