‘Save democracy’ rally at Ramlila Maidan: INDIA bloc leaders target BJP over misuse of central agencies

“The Central government has already frozen our bank accounts; they have imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 3,567 crore on the Congress. How will we campaign for the elections?” he said, citing the “lack of level-playing field”. Kharge said people wanted to “get rid of Modi rule and his ideology, which sought to exclude rather than unite”.

Delhi minister Atishi said those in attendance were proof that the “entire country is angered” by the arrest of Kejriwal which was part of a “political conspiracy”. “All opposition parties… are being targeted by the BJP government…People from across Delhi are here today… they are ‘aam log’ who are angry at Kejriwal’s arrest,” she said.

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders during the ‘save democracy’ rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday. (Express photo: Abhinav Saha)

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said Central probe agencies were being used to target opposition leaders. CPI-ML’s Dipankar Bhattacharya said the coming elections is a chance to save democracy. “ BJP hatao, desh bachao…I condemn the arrest of the elected CM of Delhi,” said the CPI’s D Raja.

“The country is facing a big calamity… the BJP, the RSS are trying to replace our Constitution… can we allow this?… removing the BJP should be the common resolve,” he added.

RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav said agencies like CBI, ED and IT were “cells of the BJP” which were let loose on opposition leaders. “The way Modiji came like an aandhi, he will be uprooted like a toofan… politics of hatred is being done… There is an undeclared emergency in the country,” he said.

INDIA Bloc Mega Rally Live Updates: Top leaders from the INDIA bloc are gathering for “Loktantra Bachao (Save Democracy)” rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.

TMC’s Derek O’Brien questioned PM Modi’s ‘guarantees’, saying, “…Modi guarantee is zero warranty: zero warranty when it comes to employment, inflation, protecting the people’s institutions.” His Rajya Sabha MP colleague, Sagarika Ghose said, “Your popular elected CM was arrested… this is tyranny… politics where power is centralised in one party or one person is finishing the ethos of the country… Remember this general election is of tyranny versus democracy.”

Farooq Abdullah of the NC said, “In the name of religion, people are being pitted against each other. Against this conspiracy, you need to raise your voice and vote (accordingly)… ” SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “The democracy for which India was once respected in the world… today, the BJP has disgraced India… false cases are being filed against opposition leaders,” he added.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said 47 years ago, there was a historic gathering in this very field where the slogan of ‘Azadi ya ghulami’ (freedom or slavery) was raised referring to Jayaprakash Narayan. “After so many years, the same atmosphere prevails here today. It is our responsibility to keep the country’s democracy safe,” he said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said sending Kejriwal and Soren to jail was an attack on the country’s democracy and Constitution. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray termed central probe agencies “BJP’s companions”. Delivering a message from TN CM M K Stalin, DMK leader Thiruchi N Shiva condemned the arrests of Kejriwal and Soren.