Delhi: AAP to hold mega rally against Centre's ordinance today
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is scheduled to hold a mega rally on Sunday at Ramlila Maidan against the central government's ordinance on services in Delhi. This would also mark its first major public show of strength in the national capital against the Centre's ordinance, with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, top AAP leaders, and about one lakh people set to participate in it.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal has been gathering support from numerous opposition parties against the Centre's ordinance that seeks to establish its control over the national capital's bureaucracy. Previously, the Supreme Court (SC) unanimously ruled in favor of the AAP-led Delhi government, giving it power over Delhi's bureaucracy instead of the central government. Notably, the ordinance by the Centre seeks to put bureaucrats above the chief minister.
Details on AAP's rally at Ramlila Maidan
As per reports, all AAP MLAs and councilors have been instructed to mobilize participants for the rally from their own constituencies. While the rally was scheduled to begin at 10:00am, Kejriwal is reportedly going to address the gathering at 12:00pm, Hindustan Times quoted a source saying. Gopal Rai, the convener of AAP's Delhi unit, also met party bearers on Friday to review the preparations.
Security beefed up in Delhi ahead of AAP's mega rally
Ahead of the mega event in the national capital, security arrangements have been beefed up in and around Ramlila Maidan. As per the news agency PTI, approximately 12 companies of paramilitary forces and local police will be deployed at the event. Meanwhile, metal detectors and CCTV surveillance will also be in action at the entrance gates of the event.
Delhiites to face traffic issues amid mega rally
On the other hand, traffic is set to be partially affected in the national capital due to the AAP's mega rally. "In view of AAP's 'Maha Rally' at Ramlila Ground on June 11, 2023, diversion points will be effective and traffic restrictions/regulation/diversion may be imposed on certain roads," tweeted the Delhi Traffic Police. "Kindly follow the advisory to avoid any inconvenience," it added.
You can check out Delhi Traffic Police's Twitter post here
All you need to know about Delhi ordinance row
To recall, the country's apex court ruled on May 11 that the authority to transfer Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in the national capital lay with the Kejriwal-led state government and not with the Centre-appointed lieutenant governor. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s central government issued an ordinance on May 19 through the president that effectively negated this ruling.
