CM Kejriwal to work out of jail, meet ministers from next week: AAP
The AAP has consistently maintained that the government will run from jail and there are no plans for Kejriwal to resign.
4 min read
Conveying the CM’s plan of action in the coming days, Pathak said, “From next week, the CM will call two ministers to jail every week -- he will review ongoing projects and work in their departments, and issue guidelines and directions accordingly...” (PTI Photo)Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will run the Delhi government properly from jail by meeting two ministers every week and reviewing the progress of work in their departments, said AAP’s National General Secretary (organisation) Dr Sandeep Pathak.
Pathak, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, had met Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, where he is lodged in judicial custody in the excise policy case, on Monday. The AAP has consistently maintained that the government will run from jail and there are no plans for Kejriwal to resign.
Conveying the CM’s plan of action in the coming days, Pathak said, “From next week, the CM will call two ministers to jail every week — he will review ongoing projects in their departments, and issue guidelines and directions accordingly…”
When asked if the party has gone through the legal aspects of their plan, he said: “The government is already functioning from jail… From next week, the format to run the government from jail will start properly… We will look into legal aspects and… work will be done accordingly…”
However, Director General (Prisons) Sanjay Beniwal said that an inmate is allowed to sign legal documents from inside the jail, such as property or company papers, apart from complaints directed towards officials or an organisation. He said this is allowed for every inmate.
Further, a jail official said an inmate is allowed to add a few names to his visitors whom he can meet physically for a month and the number cannot exceed 10 — this applies to all prisoners.
A senior AAP leader maintained that the party will not violate any law. “Like the Punjab CM and AAP General secretary met the CM today… similarly, the ministers will visit the CM in jail and discuss ongoing projects… the CM will review it and give directions verbally… we will follow all legal processes.”
Pathak also said Kejriwal directed to hold a meeting with all MLAs, telling them to go door to door to understand people’s concerns and try to solve any issues they are facing. “He also said to tell people about the work done by the AAP and that he will come out of jail very soon… He said MLAs will have to cover up for his absence by working twice as hard.”
According to Pathak, Kejriwal said he would roll out the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, under which every woman above 18 years will receive Rs 1,000 every month, as soon as he gets out of jail.
He further said the CM is not concerned about himself but is worried about the public and wants to ensure that all benefits — education, health, electricity and free travel for women — continue to be available.
Earlier, in the day, Mann had said that “Sandeep is looking after the sanghatan (party)” and that his duty was to “campaign in states and work with INDIA bloc whenever needed”.
Responding to this, Pathak said, “Everyone’s work is distributed… Election campaigns are in full swing in all states… Party workers are even more motivated — those who used to work for 10 hours are now working for 15 hours, and those who worked for 15 hours are now working 18 hours…,” he said.
Asked about the party’s campaign plan if the CM does not get relief from the court, he said, “… it depends on what the BJP will do next. But we have a solution for whatever they are planning to derail our campaign… If they think they can destroy the AAP, then it is very petty thinking…”
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