Students to workers, hundreds flock to Ramlila Maidan for AAP’s ‘maha rally’

As per party members, all MLAs and councillors were given targets to gather a large number of people from their constituencies for the rally. (Express Photo)

Naseem Khan (45), an AAP worker from Shahdara, said he believes the ordinance will become a national-level issue in the future. “If the Supreme Court’s orders are not being followed by the ruling party, then there is no meaning to law and order (in the country),” he said.

Aman, a first-year BA student in Delhi University, who came from Palam, said, “I came here today to support (Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal because I find him honest. The ordinance the Centre has brought in takes away all the power from the elected government. Then, what is the point of having an elected government, with no powers?… I stand firm with Kejriwal because if I passed Class 12 and got admission in college, it is because of him.”

AAP supporters gather during the party’s ‘maha rally’ against the Centre’s ordinance on control of services in the national capital, at Ramlila Maidan, in New Delhi, Sunday, June 11, 2023. (PTI Photo)

As per party members, all MLAs and councillors were given targets to gather a large number of people from their constituencies for the rally. The party also arranged 10-20 buses from each constituency to ferry people to and from the venue. It also made arrangements for water, ambulance services, and a mobile hospital at the venue.

Pooja (40), a domestic worker from Savda Ghevra Colony, said: “We came to know about the rally through AAP workers; they asked us to come if we want Kejriwal as CM again. More than 100 men, women and children from the colony have come here in about two-three buses.”

The party also made arrangements for water, ambulance services, and a mobile hospital at the venue. (Express Photo)

An excited 60-year-old man, who goes by the name Swami ji and runs a food stall in Northeast Delhi’s Shastri Park, called Kejriwal his “son” and said, “I am very excited to see my son today. He is working very hard for people, giving free electricity, water and sewer connections but the BJP and (PM Narendra) Modi are trying to stop him. I am with him, my entire family is here to support my son.”

Others, meanwhile, had come to the rally in hopes of addressing long-ignored problems.

Kalpana (42), a domestic worker from Kusumpur Pahadi in Vasant Vihar, talked about how her area has suffered for years due to a rampant water shortage. The households in Kusumpur Pahadi depend on bore-wells and water tankers for their daily requirements. “The pipelines they set up end in Munirka. We don’t get any water at all. I hope to talk to some senior party members to solve this problem,” she said.

The party also arranged 10-20 buses from each constituency to ferry people to and from the venue. (PTI)

Seema from Gherva resettlement colony added, “It has been more than a decade since we jhuggi people were resettled to the area. We are yet to get a proper water connection, road, sewer and transport facility. Bus stops and the metro are very far, our daughters and children have to go far to get a bus or metro. I came here today to raise this issue with councillors or an MLA.”

Also at the rally were a group of slum dwellers from Bhoomiheen Camp who held posters and placards against the Delhi Development Authority over its recent demolition drive. They sought help from the AAP and action against officials for the demolition drive.

The rally also drew people from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Afsar (36), a painter from Ayodhya said he skipped work to attend the rally. “I am a daily wage labourer, and I work as a painter. I come to Delhi when I get work and I’m paid Rs 1,000 for each day. As soon as I heard about Kejriwal’s rally, I skipped work and came to support him. It is okay if I lose a day’s earnings because it is for my brother. He is doing everything for the poor. I don’t know what this rally is about but I fully support Kejriwal in all his decisions.”